Flattering Lips

Tertullus began his case against Paul with sweet words: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace… most noble Felix, with all thankfulness” (Acts 24:2-3). A moment later he called Paul “a plague” (24:5).

What flattery is. Flattery is praise that is too much or not true, said to get something. It sounds kind, but it is really a way of using someone.

A prayer for help. Psalm 12 begins, “Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men” (Psalm 12:1). It felt as if honest people were hard to find.

A double heart. “They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak” (12:2). A double heart means saying one thing and meaning another.

Proud tongues. “May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, And the tongue that speaks proud things” (12:3). God does not ignore words that are false.

Who is lord? The flatterers said, “With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; Who is lord over us?” (12:4). They thought their words belonged only to them. But God hears every word.

A net. “A man who flatters his neighbor Spreads a net for his feet” (Proverbs 29:5). A net was a trap for catching birds or animals. Flattery can trap a person by making them proud or careless.

Smooth words. Paul warned the church about people who “by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:18). Smooth words can lead people away from the truth.

Not all praise is flattery. Thanking your teacher, or telling a friend that they did a great job when they really did, is good and kind. Flattery is different: it is not true, or it is said to get something.

Why it matters. Tertullus’s sweet words were most likely meant to win Felix to his side before Felix heard the facts. Words that hide a plan are a kind of lie.

Your words. It is tempting to flatter someone popular or someone in charge. God wants your words to be true, no matter who is listening.

Jesus’ words. Jesus never flattered anyone. He spoke the truth in love, even when it was hard to hear.

The gospel. We have all used our words wrongly, and that is sin. But Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again. Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven and given a new heart.

What to do. This week, when you praise someone, make sure it is true. Ask God to give you one heart, not a double heart.

When Felix nodded to him, Paul answered, “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself” (Acts 24:10). He was respectful, and every word was true.

Just the facts. Paul said it was only twelve days since he had gone up to Jerusalem to worship (24:11). Then he said, “Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me” (24:13). He did not need sweet words. He had the truth.

God speaks up. After all the smooth talk in Psalm 12, God Himself speaks: “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise,” says the Lord (12:5). God cares about people who are hurt by lying words.

Safe. He promises, “I will set him in the safety for which he yearns” (12:5). To yearn means to long for something very much.

Pure words. “The words of the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times” (12:6).

Silver in the fire. Long ago, people heated silver in a furnace so that dirt and other metals burned away. Silver purified again and again had nothing false left in it. God’s words are like that.

Kept forever. “You shall keep them, O Lord, You shall preserve them from this generation forever” (12:7). God watches over His people and His words.

A wicked world. “The wicked prowl on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men” (12:8). Vileness means what is ugly and wrong. Even when many people cheer for what is wrong, God’s words stay pure.

A true friend. “He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue” (Proverbs 28:23). To rebuke means to correct someone. A true friend tells you the truth, even when it is hard.

Respect and truth together. Paul honored Felix as a judge, but he did not pretend Felix was something he was not. You can be polite and honest at the same time.

Trust God’s words. Because God’s words are pure, you can trust everything He promises. He never flatters you, and He never lies to you.

His best word. God’s most wonderful word is the good news about Jesus. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

The gospel. We have all sinned, and God tells us so plainly. But Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again, and everyone who trusts Him is forgiven.

What to do. Read God’s Word this week and trust what it says. When a friend needs to hear something hard, say it kindly and truly.