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According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word flattery is defined as "insincere or excessive praise".
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According to Thesaurus.com the synonyms for flattery include:
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- adulation
- honeyed words
- ingratiation
- mush
- pretty speech
- puffery
- smoke
- snow job
- sweet talk
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According to Deborah Smith Pegues there are four types of lying:
- deceitfulness
- half-truths
- exaggeration
- flattery
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In Mrs. Pegues book, 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue, she says that "flattery is a lie covered in a bed of flowery words." She puts forth that flattery is a faith issue and clear evidence that a person doesn't trust God enough to give herself favor with other people.
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It is easier to understand flattery as a type of lying and a sin after reading a few things that GOD'S WORD says about it:
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Psalms 12:3
The LORD shall
cut off all flattering lips...
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Proverbs 26:28
A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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Proverbs 28:23
He who rebukes a man
will in the end gain more favor
than he who has a flattering tongue.
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Ezekiel 12:24-25
For there will be no more
false visions or flattering divinations
among the people of Israel.
But I the LORD will speak what I will.
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Romans 16:17-18
I urge you, brothers,
to watch out for those who cause divisions
and put obstacles in your way
that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.
Keep away from them.
For such people
are not serving our Lord Christ,
but their own appetites.
By smooth talk and flattery
they deceive the minds of naive people.
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TWO SCRIPTURES THAT I PLAN ON
MEDITATING ON TODAY:
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1 Thessalonians 2:4-6
We are not trying to please men but God,
who tests our hearts.
You know we never used flattery...
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Job 32:21-22
I will show partiality to no one,
nor will I flatter any man;
for if I were skilled in flattery,
my Maker would soon take me away.
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It's time to be sincere in our speech!
BORN AGAIN: Flattery to Sincerity!
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