“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” (Daniel 11:32)
Wear it as a badge of honor when all men speak evil of you for standing true to the name of Christ. Know that the world loves its own, and the world that has entered the church does the same. Flattery is the order of the day where men are lovers of their own selves and their own pleasures rather than lovers of God. They seek to surround themselves with “positive” people, those who will tell them “you go girl.” Such flattery has nothing to do with godly exhortation. It proceeds from the mouths of those who know little of the Spirit of Christ and much of the spirit of the age. It is all about ME, what I can do, and the fulfillment of MY destiny, MY dreams, MY desires.
There is a powerful spirit of covetousness at work which Paul calls idolatry. (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5) Paul would have none of it. He said: “For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness” (1 Thes. 2:5)
There is a snare that is coming upon the whole earth that only those who are living for Another will escape from. (Luke 21:35) The beast will be the ultimate flatterer in his deifying of man. His message will resonate with those who are serving and loving themselves. The net will be spread with flattery. “A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.” (Prov. 29:5) But there are another people who are arising as well who don’t count their lives dear to them, who “loved not their lives unto the death.” (Rev. 12:11)
A sifting is going on even now. The corrupted message that exalts man’s pursuit of his dreams under the guise of serving God is being used by God to remove the chaff from the wheat. Those who know their God will grow stronger in this hour and they will overcome that wicked one who is the original self-server.