Unwise Flattery

Text: Psalm 36: 1-12

The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no
fear of God before his eyes.
For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be
hateful.
The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise,
and to do good.
He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not
good; he abhorreth not evil.
Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto
the clouds.
Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great
deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men
put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou
shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy
righteousness to the upright in heart.
Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the
wicked remove me.
There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not
be able to rise.

Everyone likes to think of themselves in a good light. We enjoy thinking that what we have to say to others is worth hearing and the things we do are worthwhile to others. This may or may not be true but when we flatter ourselves to believe everything about our own selves is good, right or even noble, then we have lost ourselves and we become fools.

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It is easy for mankind to follow some sort of hero, a sports star 0r performer who seems to be special and better than our own selves. We look up to those who become rich and seem as if life in all its fullness has been given to them. Then we look at our own selves and push ourselves down believing we are not so good. Here is a mistake; for if we are on the Lord's side we are victorious, we are more than conquerors.

When we listen to the famous and their boasts they are trying to make more of themselves than is true. They may be good at one thing, but are they good spouses, are they kind and generous, are they faithful to God? Often those who boast the most and flatter themselves in their own eyes are empty and have little else in their life.

It is better for the Christian to be humble in heart, generous in spirit, quiet in speaking. It is nobler to serve others than to be served. It is more Christ-like to rejoice in others than have others praise our own self. It is not our own selves that need to be flattered for in so doing we will not detect or hate sin. We must beware and guard our lips and our hearts for the glory of God.