Flattering Your Neighbor - Proverbs 29:5

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “The king by judgment establishes the land, but he that receives gifts overthrows it”, ands in chapter twenty-nine and verse five of Proverbs Solomon shared about, “a man that flatters his neighbor”where we read,

A man that flatters his neighbor

spreads a net for his feet.

The verse begins, “A man that flatters his neighbor ...” Solomon began with the words, “a man that flatters” or “a person whether male or female who dishonestly commends, praises and compliments” “his neighbor” which means “his, the person's, fellow companion, friend or fellow citizen”. Solomon referred to the person who complements and praises their fellow-citizen or companion. 

The verse continues, “... spreads a net for his feet.” Solomon added the words, “spreads a net” or “lays open, scatters and stretches forth a trap or woven network” “for his feet” which means “on behalf of the person's own physical feet”. Solomon said the person who uses their speech to dishonestly praise their fellow-citizen or companion stretches out a woven trap for their own physical feet.

When we think through Solomon's words in this verse, we discover that a person who dishonestly commends their fellow-citizen actually stretches out a trap for themselves. God wants us to have integrity and be honest as we “speak the truth in love” to people we know. (See Ephesians 4:15) God loves us, and He proved His love when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us by His Holy Spirit to avoid the trap that is set for those who dishonestly “flatter” others with their speech. 

Next time Solomon says, “in the transgression of an evil man there is a snare”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".