A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare
Be Wary of Flatter
Wednesday,
11 September
A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet. Proverbs 29:5
SCRIPTURE
FOR TODAY: Proverbs 29:5 A man that flattereth his neighbour
spreadeth a net for his feet.
MORE LESSON: Acts 12:20-23 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country. 21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
I attended a wedding in a church sometimes
ago; it was scheduled to start at 10:00am. Some guests and the intending couple
were already seated in the Church’s auditorium at about ten minutes after ten,
but the leading officiating pastor did not show up until 12:45pm. What preceded
his entrance into the church was what amazed me. A man got up to the microphone
and began to say something like: Welcome my father, the apostle of our time,
a man of God with great reputation and a blessing to our generation. He just
arrived from Canada last week, where he went to bless the people. Consider
yourself blessed to be face to face with this anointed man of God. Now rise to
your feet and with a clapping ovation, welcome our father Apostle, Prophet....
Then the man and his wife strolled in as the congregation clapped and
celebrated them. My heart quivered, and the man had neither remorse nor apology
for keeping his congregation and guests waiting for hours.
The British English Dictionary defines
flatter as to enhance someone’s vanity by praising him. The devil deceives
those who do wickedness to the covenant by corrupting them with flatteries
(Daniel 11:32). When men begin to talk of you as if you are God, they are
setting you up for destruction. Proverbs 29:5 warns: A man that
flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet. The word net in
Hebrew is reh’-sheth which is used for catching, judgement or as a trap for
man. King Herod killed Apostle James and almost killed Peter, if not for divine
intervention, yet God did not judge him immediately. However, the day he wanted
to take the glory that belongs to God, he died a horrible death.
Those who are good at flattering others
will also receive their due reward according to Job 32:22: For I know not
to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away
(NIV). This implies that God will cut off people who are given to flatteries
(Psalm 12:3). The modern Church has helped the devil to destroy so many
anointed Christians, including servants of God by flatteries. When these vain
words used in introducing them to the congregation get to their heads, they
lose focus and ascribe undue glory to themselves.
One of the dangers that this profanity is
breeding is that some young preachers are imbibing this self-acclamation as a
necessary entitlement. Another problem is that some “weak’ leaders seek demonic
power to substantiate the accolades being poured on them. God’s servants,
especially those who labour in the word and doctrine deserve double honour: (I
Timothy 5:17), but not to the detriment of their lives and destinies. God will
not share His glory with anyone irrespective of your achievement. Don’t let the
enemy use you to cut short the life of any man of God or send you to an early
grave by flattering anyone.
Prayer/Action
* Ask the Lord to keep you from being corrupted by flatteries.
* Pray that the mercy of God will help you to maintain integrity and not share in His glory.
* Ask for God’s mercy that the Church will not to fall into
the enemy’s devices.
TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Today, I regain and restore all opportunities and glories that I lost since the year began, in the powerful name of Jesus.
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