Valued Truth

Read Proverbs 28

In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.

Proverbs 28:23

It is possible to use flattery to gain friendships, perks, and opportunities. However, the gain may be temporary at best. At the end of a friendship paved with flattery, friends may find they really have nothing in common. At the end of a workday, puffed full of empty compliments from manipulative employees, a supervisor may feel used instead of affirmed.

This proverb is not saying that people don’t appreciate flattery. In reality, they do. In general, people love to have their ego stroked. And yet the Bible teaches that people value truthfulness, couched in love, much more. Giving honest criticism is not the same as being rude. Being frank with a friend means telling a person our honest, objective evaluation of a situation or issue. Flattery means telling a person only what he or she wants to hear. According to this proverb, the bottom line is being truthful instead of insincere.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Resist giving or receiving flattery.

Today, Lord, I will follow your guidance and speak the truth in love.