Flattery is the act of giving excessive compliments or praise, often to gain favor or influence. It is often insincere and used for selfish motives. The Bible has a lot to say about flattery and warns against using it or being susceptible to it.
Here are some key Bible verses about flattery:
Proverbs 26:28 – “A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” This verse warns that flattery often involves deception and can bring harm to relationships.
Proverbs 29:5 – “Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet.” Flattery can entrap and manipulate people.
Psalm 12:2-3 – “Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts.” God despises dishonest flattery.
1 Thessalonians 2:5 – “For we never came with words of flattery, as you know.” The apostle Paul did not resort to flattery in his ministry.
Proverbs 20:19 – “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.” Flattery often involves revealing secrets or private things about others.
Job 32:21-22 – “I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person. For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away.” The character of Elihu explains his commitment to honesty over flattery.
Psalm 78:36-37 – “But they flattered Him with their mouths, and lied to Him with their tongues, for their heart was not steadfast toward Him, nor were they faithful in His covenant.” Israel gave God insincere praise and flattery.
1 Thessalonians 2:5 – “As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed.” The apostle Paul refrained from flattering people or from preaching for money.
Proverbs 28:23 – “Whoever rebukes a person will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.” Honest correction is better than insincere flattery.
Ezekiel 12:24 – “For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations within the house of Israel.” False prophets had flattered the people with misleading divinations.
Daniel 11:32 – “He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant.” A wicked king would use flattery to lead people into idolatry and betrayal.
1 Thessalonians 2:5 – “You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.” The apostle Paul did not resort to flattery in his preaching.
Psalm 12:2-3 – “Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts. May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.” Flattery is often accompanied by lies and deception.
Proverbs 20:19 – “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.” Flatterers often betray confidences and spread secrets.
Jude 1:16 – “These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.” Flattery is often tied to pride, boasting, and selfishness.
Job 32:21-22 – “I will not show partiality to anyone or use flattery, for if I did, my Maker would soon take me away.” The character of Elihu explains his commitment to honesty over flattery.
Proverbs 26:28 – “A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” Flattery frequently involves deception and can damage relationships.
Romans 16:18 – “For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” Flatterers can take advantage of the naive.
Psalm 5:9 – “Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies.” Flattery often involves insincere praise and hidden motives.
Proverbs 29:5 – “Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.” Flattery can entangle and exploit people.
James 3:5-8 – “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” Flattery involves the misuse of the tongue.
Psalm 78:34-37 – “Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant.” Israel gave God insincere praise and flattery.
1 Thessalonians 2:4-5 – “On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.” The apostle Paul did not resort to flattery in his ministry.
Proverbs 26:23-26 – “Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.” Flatterers often conceal their true motives and wickedness.
Psalm 5:9 – “Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies.” Flattery frequently involves deceit and insincerity.
Proverbs 29:5 – “Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.” Flattery ensnares people.
Jude 1:16 – “These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.” Flattery is associated with pride, boasting, and selfish ambition.
Proverbs 26:28 – “A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” Flattery often involves deception and damages relationships.
Psalm 12:2-3 – “Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts. May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.” Flattery frequently entails lies and hidden motives.
Proverbs 29:5 – “Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.” Flattery can entrap and take advantage of people.
Daniel 11:21 – “He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue.” Flattery and intrigue can catch people unawares.
Jude 1:16 – “These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.” Flatterers are often prideful and self-seeking.
Romans 16:18 – “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.” Flatterers can exploit the gullible.
1 Thessalonians 2:5 – “You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.” The apostle Paul refused to use flattery.
Psalm 78:34-37 – “Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant.” Israel gave God insincere praise and flattery.
Proverbs 20:19 – “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.” Flatterers frequently spread private information.
Job 32:21-22 – “I will not show partiality to anyone or use flattery, for if I did, my Maker would soon take me away.” The character of Elihu explains his refusal to use flattery.
Psalm 12:2 – “Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.” Flattery commonly involves deceit and dishonesty.
Ezekiel 12:24 – “For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations within the house of Israel.” False prophets had flattered the people with misleading divinations.
Proverbs 29:5 – “Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.” Flattery ensnares and takes advantage.
Psalm 12:2-3 – “Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts. May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.” Flattery frequently entails lies and dishonesty.
Romans 16:18 – “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.” Flatterers exploit the naive.
Jude 1:16 – “These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.” Flatterers are often prideful and self-serving.
Proverbs 26:28 – “A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” Flattery can involve lies and damage relationships.
Daniel 11:21 – “He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue.” Flattery and deception can catch people unawares.
1 Thessalonians 2:5 – “You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.” The apostle Paul refused to use flattery.
Psalm 5:9 – “Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies.” Flattery frequently involves deceit and insincerity.
Proverbs 26:23-26 – “Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.” Flatterers conceal their true motives.
Proverbs 20:19 – “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.” Flatterers often spread private information.
Psalm 78:34-37 – “Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant.” Israel gave God insincere flattery.
In summary, the Bible strongly warns against flattery, which often involves deception, hidden motives, insincerity, and exploitation. Flatterers are prideful, self-serving, and untrustworthy. Their smooth words conceal selfish ambitions and even malice. The Bible advises us not to use flattery or be susceptible to it. Honesty, integrity, and sincere motives should characterize our speech instead.