Flattery
2 Chronicles 24
 |
| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 17-18) "After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. They abandoned the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and worshiped asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God's anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem."
My Thoughts
Flattery is when someone does something nice for you in hopes that you will more likely pay them back what they want. That's rude and selfish, and whatever nice thing they did, it meant nothing because they only did it hoping you would give them what they wanted in return. Don't let people do that to you.
Some people are, unfortunately, more susceptible to flattery than others. Joash was. The officials came and paid homage to him for the loss of Jehoiada, the priest, and Joash gave in to what they wanted because of it. Look where that got him, and his kingdom and people to boot. God's anger came upon them because they turned to other gods.
If you give in and do what the person who flatters you wants, you may get yourself into trouble. Just because someone is nice to you, does not mean that you are required to be nice to them as well. Obviously that would be the right thing to do, right? Yes, but not if the person is only doing it for personal gain. If someone gives you a compliment and then wants you to do something, you don't have to do it. Even if they give you some kind of gift, or a hug or anything else.
I always feel bad not doing something nice to someone who was nice to me. I don't go crazy with it though. I will try to help them with something, encourage them, give them a compliment back, a smile or a hug. Something, but not necessarily what they want, depending on the specific situation. Sometimes what may seem to be flattery really isn't.
The thing you have to watch out for is when people rush to do something nice for you or go out of their way to do so, or if they are insincere. Use your judgement and as always, if you are unsure of anything, talk to God about it. Give it to God and ask Him what He wants you to do.
Some people are, unfortunately, more susceptible to flattery than others. Joash was. The officials came and paid homage to him for the loss of Jehoiada, the priest, and Joash gave in to what they wanted because of it. Look where that got him, and his kingdom and people to boot. God's anger came upon them because they turned to other gods.
If you give in and do what the person who flatters you wants, you may get yourself into trouble. Just because someone is nice to you, does not mean that you are required to be nice to them as well. Obviously that would be the right thing to do, right? Yes, but not if the person is only doing it for personal gain. If someone gives you a compliment and then wants you to do something, you don't have to do it. Even if they give you some kind of gift, or a hug or anything else.
I always feel bad not doing something nice to someone who was nice to me. I don't go crazy with it though. I will try to help them with something, encourage them, give them a compliment back, a smile or a hug. Something, but not necessarily what they want, depending on the specific situation. Sometimes what may seem to be flattery really isn't.
The thing you have to watch out for is when people rush to do something nice for you or go out of their way to do so, or if they are insincere. Use your judgement and as always, if you are unsure of anything, talk to God about it. Give it to God and ask Him what He wants you to do.
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
No comments :
Post a Comment
Please be respectful and do not comment anything that is hateful, hurtful or illegal. Thank you!