Psalm 12:1-4
“HELP, Lord! For principled and godly people are here no more; faithfulness and the faithful vanish from among the sons of men. To his neighbor each one speaks words without use or worth or truth; with flattering lips and double heart [deceitfully] they speak. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and the tongues that speak proud boasting, Those who say, With our tongues we prevail; our lips are our own [to command at our will]–who is lord and master over us?”
The above scripture clearly points out 4 things that pertain to those who flatter.
Unfaithfulness, double hearted (in other words two faced), pride, and an inability to submit to authority.
The one thing people fail to realise in the kingdom is that if they flatter and manipulate their way to promotion or favour with people, their character will not be able to maintain that position or relationship. Exposure will happen almost immediately or soon thereafter. They will be found unfaithful, two faced, divisive, easily offended, not being able to maintain the level of honour that is required to walk in that level of position or relationship.
You see people want to walk close with greatness, but greatness is forged in great fire, testing and endurance. A position of responsibility in the kingdom requires much requirement. Jesus said it, much given, much required. (Luke 12:48)
In the world people flatter and manipulate their way into success and it can prove to work. But in the kingdom, positions of responsibility have requirements. I’ve seen many people promoted to governmental positions in the body of Christ by man, too soon, only to blow up later and splatter on a lot of people.
Why? Their vessel was not prepared properly for the weight of responsibility for the position. Their character was not properly forged for that level.
Promotion of any kind too soon is detrimental.
Many strive for the promotions of their neighbour, but fail to realise that if that promotion has not been allocated for them then they will not be equipped properly for that reward.
Yes! You need to be equipped and prepared for your reward! With reward comes responsibility. There is wisdom that is needed to operate in each role in the body of Christ. You cannot govern without godly wisdom. To be placed in a position and not have access to the wisdom to operate is like having a farm with no equipment to plow, sow and reap a harvest. Thus this is so when you access a position you are not anointed to hold.
Don’t seek, envy or covet another’s promotion, position, reward or favour, because with that promotion comes a great cost that you have not been equipped to pay.
We have all been given the grace for the portion of faith we have been given. That means we have been graced with the ability to pay the price obedience requires. You cannot pay the price for someone else’s reward! You haven’t been equipped for it. Attaining a position or relationship through flattery and manipulation will only cause you more grief than what you have bargained for.
In the kingdom promotion is granted by God through humility not flattery or manipulation.
I see so many saints frustrated, riled up and jealous of other’s promotions. Thinking that if they attained to what they had then that would signify Gods favour and approval on their life. This is a total lie!
One cure for covetousness and envy is pay the price they have paid. That might fix it? So many judge on the outside and compare their lives with others saying “ it’s not fair, they have had it easier than me, they have had this and that”. Oh really??? How do you know what they have sown in secret? Because my bible says that whatever a man does in secret the Lord rewards in the open (Matthew 6:4). Another persons promotion, blessing and favour is not your business!
What if God hasn’t got that for you and you spend your whole life seeking an inheritance and a portion that isn’t even yours to inherit?!!!! You will miss out on YOUR portion, and let me tell you, your portion is waaaaay sweeter than what someone else has!
I’ve seen many many people promoted in the kingdom around me, before me, younger than me, less experienced and younger in the lord than me, but that is none of my business when and who God chooses to use!
The most important thing I need to know when I meet my beautiful saviour is that I will hear those words, well done Anita, you were faithful and fixed to what I gave you. You ran the race in your lane, you fought the fight, you poured your life out as an offering to me, now enter the rest. Seriously there is no reward or promotion on earth that even compares slightly than hearing those words!
The scripture says what if we gain the whole world but to loose our soul! (Matthew 16:26). I cringe at the thought!
Remember in the kingdom favour comes from humility. Some want the honour but don’t realise the level of humility and selflessness that accompanies a position with such responsibility.
Flatterers and Manipulators are unaccountable.
In the kingdom authority is given to those who know how to submit to authority. One thing I’ve noticed about those who flatter and manipulate, is that they don’t like to be accountable or submitted under authority. See that is one of the requirements to walk in any promotion and responsibility entrusted to you by God. Hence why if someone does succeed somehow to gain favour and position in the kingdom through flattery and manipulation they don’t last long, because as soon as that person is corrected or checked, they cause division, drama, or leave , because their character has not be forged in the fire to the level of maturity that is needed to walk with others at that level and in the position they have so earnestly coveted.
One big measuring factor in any ministry or Christian organisation in promoting people should be accountability. If someone avoids accountability, correction and healthy feedback discussion with oversight, or is easily offended and critical, then that is one red flag they are not mature nor ready to walk in any position of authority, influence or responsibility. If you can’t submit, then how can you truly lead? Unaccountable leaders are unsafe.
It doesn’t matter how gifted you are, if you fail to submit to authority you will wander around in the wilderness never reaching maturity and possibly going around the same ol mountain. In fact the sad truth is some of the most gifted, potential filled people are amongst the most rebellious, proud and unsubmitted.
Flatterers and manipulators feel powerful in their own strength. It’s like using the back door for promotion. They haven’t yet mastered the art of something called SURRENDER. And someone who can’t surrender is not safe. Surrender is the foundation of being able to be led by the spirit. And those who are led by the spirit are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14).
Hebrews 12:6 says that to truly walk as a son you will be reproved and chastened by the Lord. So if sons were perfect then they would not need chastening. Again purity is the goal not perfection. Mathew 5:8 those who are pure in heart shall SEE God. To see God is being like Jesus, doing nothing unless he sees his father do it. If you can’t see, How can you do? So purity is the key to not only seeing but then doing. This is being a son!
Purity seeks Gods way. We may stumble, miss the mark and make mistakes but if we stay humble and accountable and open to reproof we will continue to go from glory to glory.
Sonship is maturity and with maturity comes responsibility. Now through the fire of surrendering to accountability, correction, discipline and teaching you have matured character and tried integrity. Romans 5:4 says through endurance, we have character refined and tried integrity.
Manipulators and flatterers don’t endure the test. They don’t or won’t endure correction and instruction.
Revelation 22:15 NKJV says,
“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and PRACTICES A LIE”.
In the Greek root word of practices a lie it means : to utter an untruth and deceive by a lie.
That is what flattery does. You deceive by untruths and are using what you are saying for your own gain. It’s simply falsehood! It’s being fake!
The Lord is going after and exposing fake in this hour. What may have worked in the past there is no grace on now. Where flattery and manipulation went hidden and unseen, God is exposing heart motives and bringing it to the light.
Purity = Power and the Lord is cleaning up his house getting ready to endow her with power.
I’ll leave you with one of my most treasured and favourite scriptures of all time. You will save yourself a lot of drama if you yolk yourself to the truth it carries.
1 Peter 5:6
“Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,”
That is the way of the kingdom.
