James 3:9,10
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Read all of James Chapter 3 here
One writer I read commenting on the Book of James said the following: “If gossip is saying behind someone’s back what you would never say to their face, then flattery is saying to someone’s face what you would never say behind their back.”
What is flattery? Well flattery and compliments are not the same; that is why the saying above rings so very true. A compliment is good for the person being complimented, whereas flattery is primarily for the benefit of the person giving the praise. And that, in a nutshell, is why God has a problem with flattery.
Like almost anything having to do with our tongue, we can find much guidance on the subject of flattery in the Book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 6:24; 7:5; and 7:21 all teach us that a flattering woman can lead us into trouble.
Flattery is put in the same league as lying and deception in Psalm 5:9 and Romans 16:18.
As we have been discussing, James is trying to teach us how to live the Christian life; he is attempting to teach us how our salvation will always result in some fruit, or action as a result. What’s that got to do with what James is teaching? Well everything, really. Because just as hard as James is trying to teach us how to do right, there are a host of people trying to teach us wrong. These would be false teachers, and flattery is one of their primary weapons in their arsenal.
Paul warns clearly of this danger in Romans 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Peter likewise warns of this in 2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Here’s a question just for bloggers. Ever like, comment or follow just in the hopes of getting one yourself? A little encouragement in there just to make it look good? Of course we have to engage others to build a network of readers, but where is the line? I would really like people’s thoughts on that one.
Truth in Palmyra 
December 3, 2016 at 08:53
Brother Wally, Great questions that I personally ponder as well! I very much enjoy my blogging experience here at WordPress; both writing and reading. Yes, it’s very nice to receive those “like”s after spending a lot of time writing something. But there’s definitely a danger of crossing the line and playing the “like”s game: i.e., I’ll “like” your post if you “like” my post. Facebook is famous for that kind of mutual phony backscratching and I don’t want or need to get sucked into that. I follow only a limited number of bloggers so that I can actually read the posts they write. As we know, many bloggers just hit the “like” button on their followers’ posts without actually reading them. If I can’t agree with the doctrine or an individual (Osteen, Warren, etc.) featured in a particular post, I won’t “like” it. If I find that a blog I’m following is presenting unorthodox teaching on the “majors,” I’ll just stop following it. If a blogger is also very adamant about a secondary issue I disagree with (e.g., KJV-Only), I’ll stop following them also. There’s only so much time in the day.
I understand my posts are often on the “controversial” side according to today’s mainline evangelical standards, so I don’t take great offense if my posts aren’t always “like”ed, but if there doesn’t appear to be any reciprocity, I’ll move on because I would rather network with those who are actually reading my posts as I read theirs.
Bottom line for those of us who are blogging for the Lord is to remember we’re blogging for the Lord and not for the “like”s. Our time is limited so each of us has to figure out how we can best utilize our blogging time for the Lord, for those we follow and who follow us, and for those in our lives we’re responsible to outside of this blogoshere.
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December 3, 2016 at 09:15
Those are great points, Tom, thanks.
It’s a dilemma somewhat isn’t it? I tend to be a quite liberal liker, especially for those I regularly talk to. I read a LOT of posts every day, and sometimes I may not have anything to say, but will like just to show I was there.
Like you said, though, if I have substantial issues I won’t like it. If it is somebody i feel close to, I might actually express my thoughts on the issue.
I tend not to do that with those I am not close with, rather just ignore it. It’s like busting in somebody’s house to tell them how messed up they are.
On the other hand, I do seek out reading, and readers I don’t necessarily have common ground with. That is an intentional effort to attract readers to my place who might then read something that is true.
It’s a juggling act.
I do pay attention to my stats, as I think they are good tools to gauge the effectiveness of my efforts. I am not big into randomness, but rather like to be intentional about my efforts for God’s work.
I have, however, caught myself becoming rather full of myself. Not good.
You know…”this is my beloved self in whom I am well pleased” LOL
Thanks Tom as always for your good insights and thoughs.
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December 3, 2016 at 09:33
Thanks, Wally. I’ve been meaning to post on this very topic and you gave me a good excuse. Yup, this can become just another opportunity to please my our flesh rather than to serve the Lord with and we have to be wary of that. As you mention, one of the big reasons we do this is to reach out to those who don’t agree with us but I guess we also have to evaluate how much time we want to invest in debating, etc.
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December 3, 2016 at 11:48
We sure do have to evaluate that, Tom, as there are many not really looking to talk, but only to distract Christian bloggers and divert attention. It requires the guidance of the Holy Spirit for sure.
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December 3, 2016 at 09:04
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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December 3, 2016 at 09:09
Thanks brother Vincent
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December 3, 2016 at 09:26
You’re very welcome Brother Wally 😎
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December 3, 2016 at 10:04
I generally pay attention to only comment and new follower notifications. With comments, I will respond to those most frequently by hitting the Like button or answering a question. With new follower notifications, I will go to their blog a peruse it. If it is something I’m interested in, I’ll follow it, if not I won’t. I have found the WordPress App on my smartphone to be most helpful in this task. I’ll go to my laptop to actually respond to comments other than likes and to explore others blogs who are new followers.
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December 3, 2016 at 11:46
I can understand that, Don. Your posts are so detailed it’s a wonder you have time for anything else!
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December 3, 2016 at 15:19
That’s why I generally only have two posts per week.
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December 3, 2016 at 15:30
Well…yeah. Yours must take hours to prepare. Your work on those is seriously appreciated, too.
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December 3, 2016 at 10:57
I agree with what you all have said and parts of each apply to me. I will “like” an article I’ve read at times for the purpose of telling the author I’ve read it and other times because I like what was said and may comment. I will not “like” something I totally disagree with if what is said contradicts His word or comes from an atheist view, etc. To get readers to follow? No! If a new follower comes along I check their site and will thank them for the follow but may not follow theirs depending on what they write. It was the Lord that told me to start a blog and I didn’t even know what that was so I’m careful as to what I blog so He won’t “Bop” me. 🙂
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December 3, 2016 at 11:51
I used to follow most who would follow me. Now, there is simply not time. Now, if a person repeatedly shows up to say hi…I will tend to just for the interaction.
I also follow a number of blogs that I substantially disagree with…but that’s just me. It’s not for everybody.
I actually used to write on a blog where most there were way different from me. I was the token conservative LOL. I was actually pretty happy that they let me way whatever I wanted to. Finally got too time consuming, though.
Never enough time is there, Sue?
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December 3, 2016 at 12:27
I used to do that, too for a short time until the articles and comments became vulgar and insulting. Then I stopped. The Lord said we are to monitor what “goes in.” I follow Christian blogs now. No, there isn’t enough time to read everything.
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December 3, 2016 at 12:50
Yeah it’s not for all of us at all Sue
You are very sweet natured
Me…a little more pugnacious lol
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December 3, 2016 at 12:53
Thank you but I’m more like sweet and sour sauce. ha ha The Lord’s still working on me.
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December 3, 2016 at 12:57
I hear that Sue
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December 5, 2016 at 18:23
I like that quote: “flattery is saying to someone’s face what you would never say behind their back.””
Concerning blogging, that’s a good question. I know certainly there’s a lot to probably think through but I think a fine line is also quality of post/comment and the veracity of those posts/comments versus the priority of…clickbait? But I’m sure there’s still more questions than answers after that and also gray areas…
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December 5, 2016 at 18:28
Which makes it pretty much like most of life LOL.
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