Up on a Pedestal...Instead of a Cross

Puffed up by the Flatterer

"Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away." Job 32:21-22

Recently my family watched the movie, "Pilgrim's Progress: Journey to Heaven". It is based on the classic novel "Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan.

In the story, you follow the walk of a man named "Christian" as he seeks eternal life. Along this journey, there are various people that he meets, including the "Flatterer". Christian had been warned to stay clear of the Flatterer, for he would say anything to lead him off of the path. And well into his journey - almost to his destination - Christian encounters him.

The Flatterer appears as a "shining one" and offers to help Christian on his way. He praises Christian for his faith, his wisdom, and his strength in making it so far along the journey. Giving heed to this man's words as he professed how "great" Christian was, Christian eventually finds himself off of the path.  By the time he has come to his senses, he has been ensnared by a net.

"A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet." Proverbs 29:5

Jesus tells us that the road to eternal life is one of self-denial; where we crucify the flesh so that Christ can live. However, the enemy - posing as an angel of light - will often sow to our flesh in order to deceive. This sowing can sound downright spiritual, but God will never share His glory with another. Anything that causes us to put our focus on man (even if it is ourselves) instead of on Christ is a deception.

"And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour." Acts 16:16-18

What the woman said was true. These men had come to teach the way unto salvation, but the motivation of the woman was wrong. Instead of placing the focus on Jesus, the women was drawing attention to the men, making of them some great ones. The Scriptures called this "divination"!  The divination was two-fold: 1) Bewitch the people into worshiping men; and 2) Get the men to receive the worship of the people. 

Flatter: to try to please by complimentary remarks or attention; to praise or compliment insincerely, effusively, or excessively.

God's word warns us against both being flatterers and receiving flattery. We must not think more highly of others than we ought to...and we must not allow ourselves to be placed in such a position to others.  When we give ear to flattery, we begin to put the old man up on a pedestal instead of a cross; the only thing which can result is a fall.

"The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.  The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil." Psalm 36:1-4

Receiving the praises of men conditions you to seek praises from man; and as a result, your relationship with God becomes very shallow.  It is no longer important to be holy...we can just appear holy.  We can honor God with our lips, our sermons, our professions...while our hearts remain far from Him and dark as soot.  Mistakenly thinking that the validation of man is the equivalent of God's acceptance, the cross becomes despised and sin abounds as the old man is raised to prominence.  In fact, the more you allow people to sow into your flesh, the less you will begin to care about your actual condition before God.

Whenever someone is accommodating the flesh - regardless of how spiritual they may seem - you are dealing with an old man on a pedestal.  It is someone who has bought into the hype of his flatterers and has left off doing good to do evil...even while using divination to get you to do the same.  We are warned that this is a tactic Satan will use to pervert many in the last days.

"And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries...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 11:21, 32

The Anti-christ will subdue and corrupt with flatteries.  Even now the spirit of anti-christ is defiling many with the same, as the flesh is continually exalted and pampered at the expense of spiritual maturity.  However, as God says in Psalm 36 above, such iniquity will be found out.  Men may see and praise our works, but God looks at the intent and motivations of the heart.  Is the Lord working through the pure heart of a new man to accomplish His purposes or is the old man doing "good works" to be seen of, and receive accolades from, men? 

There is nothing hidden which will not be brought to light...and the unveiling has started.  As Glenn Jackson says in his prophecy "The Furnace Doors Shall Now Be Opened Wide":

In this most critical hour, the "furnace doors" shall now be opened wide in the midst of God's people and "all" that is being [and has been] built and sustained by the "arm of the flesh" will be "exposed" by holy fire.

Every man's work is being tried by fire so as to show what type of work it is.  From the most known preachers to the relatively obscure believer; no one is immune from this fiery trial.  God is sweeping through to reveal who we really are..not just who we appear to be to folks.  When He puts His finger on that which displeases Him, will we turn to counterfeit comfort in the flatteries of men or will we ask God to search us and remove every unclean thing?  As brother Glenn says, there are only two possible responses: we will either repent or continue in rebellion.

Do not be surprised nor shaken as God lays bare the hearts of men so that He can manifest those who have been reproved or approved by Him; judgment starts at the house of God.  Those who have been found sincere will be strong and do exploits as the Lord moves in power and might to bring in an end time harvest.

"For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ." I Thessalonians 2:3- 6