False Prophets
We are warned in Psalm 12:2, stating “Everyone utters lies to his neighbor, with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.” (inter conflict/hypocrisy). Then Proverbs 27:5- 6 gives good advice: “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” Proverbs 28:23 suggests honesty will go better than a lie, stating, “Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.” Proverbs 29:5 describes false words as, “A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.” Why is false praise hard to recognize when we see it all the time? More importantly, why do we accept it so readily, and why do we practice it?
Have you ever been the target of someone trying to gain favoritism or special favor
from you? Some folks cannot help themselves when they meet someone; they
consider them more important or of a higher status. They assume they get
special attention by showering that person with flattery or submissive attention.
Have you ever worked somewhere and watched an employee chase around the
recently promoted supervisor, bringing them coffee, going to and paying for
lunch, showing shortcuts to the restroom, and generally looking ridiculous to the
other employees? These folks do not try to hide the fact that they want special
attention, desire some special favor, and want to be first to guide the new person
and influence their thinking. This is rarely effective, but that does not keep people
from trying. Hopefully, the new supervisor will have the experience, intelligence,
backbone, and fortitude to resist such actions.
Everyone loves to be told how great they are, how smart and good-looking they are, and how the whole company will fall apart if it were not for them. These accolades are generally false, insincere, undeserved, and accompanied by some less than honest motive. Proverbs 12:15 warns us, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” False advice and intentional misinformation used to persuade and influence someone are wrong on many levels and have severe and negative consequences. We must ask ourselves if we are being kind to the new boss to influence them or want the best for them? Is that friend trying to help us, or is he an opportunist working toward his own gain? Is this trying to benefit a sin or human nature, or, unfortunately, both? It is said that many sins become acceptable over time, making them even more dangerous. Romans 2:8 reminds us that “those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.” The opportunist is giving and taking praise for their own gain. The person who strives for favoritism and begging for partiality with opportunist attitudes is sometimes called brown-nosing; God calls it sin. (Deut. 16:19; Prov. 24:23; 28:21; Mal. 2:9; Luke 16:15). Allowing people to influence our decisions and our view of the world is dangerous. Matthew 7:15 warns, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Listening to lies and exaggerated statements will ruin families, friendships, churches, and businesses. Succumbing to falsehoods is the same as giving in to temptation. Flattery and pretty lies make us blind to the truth.
Jesus always advised seeking God’s approval and ignoring human accolades. Jesus knew that human accolades should always have a motive attached and not necessarily be true. True glory is awarded from Heaven, not from man. Science tells us that praise, accolades, and honors trigger the brain to produce dopamine, adrenaline, and endorphins. These chemicals reinforce positive, happy, and feel-good behaviors. It is easy to see why we enjoy the false praise, dishonest accolades, and the ego-boosting lies. Proverbs 14:15 describes our mistakes: “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.” So, how do we handle the person attempting to sway our opinions, our work ethics, and how we handle the future? Just as important is how we resist trying to influence someone to our way of thinking with inflated and fluffy statements. Notice I did not say we would ever make false statements. Inflated and fluffy sound better. How do we keep our composure and attitude toward the oblivious brown noser trying to get ahead of everyone else? All three of these circumstances give way to many sinful opportunities. Matthew 7:12, better known as the “Golden Rule,” suggests that we treat people with respect, love, honor, and faith that everything will work out. God is and will be in control. Try to be kind to your influencer and dismiss their efforts. Do not try to influence someone. Pray they will have the intelligence, backbone, and ability to manage without your input. God will be the only guide they will need. We can also be encouraged by Second Timothy 1:7, which reminds us that God equips His followers with all the necessary tools to be successful. Suppose you doubt the new supervisor or doubt yourself. In that case, you should pray that God will equip the circumstances like in Second Timothy and provide everything necessary to be “courageous and purposeful, free from fear and filled with love and self-discipline.”