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Read Proverbs 7

She seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery.

Proverbs 7:21

A scientific experiment once proved that a frog would, strangely, allow itself to boil to death if placed in lukewarm water that was then gradually heated to a boil. If placed in boiling water first, it naturally leaped to safety. However, the gradual increase in temperature lulled the frog into a false sense of security, for it hardly noticed its weakening muscles until too late to jump to safety.

Sound familiar? Perhaps we can’t remember the last time we viewed life from the inside of a kettle. But how about being flattered to death within the walls of our own workplace? It starts out slow—a subtle need for people’s approval. The extra attention we may receive for a job well done feels nice, soothing. However, we can find our resolves gradually weakened by the warm feelings we get from having our ego stroked. Our craving for affirmation from others can lead to a number of questionable ethics on the job. We may join the office gossip loop to feel included. We may fudge figures to appear successful to our boss. When it boils down to pride, there’s a lot to be learned from the frog in the kettle.

A WORD FOR TODAY

What sounds good may not be good.

Today, Lord, I praise you for the ways you have protected me from myself. Help me be alert and prepared for temptation of all forms.