40 Bible Verses About Flattery

Flattery is often mistaken for kindness or praise, but the Bible draws a sharp line between honest encouragement and deceptive words designed to manipulate. Throughout Scripture, believers are warned to be cautious of smooth talkers and are encouraged to speak the truth in love. In this post, we will look at 40 Bible verses about flattery, what Scripture says about it, and how to respond to it in a godly way.

What Does the Bible Say About Flattery?

The Bible describes flattery as insincere praise spoken with selfish intentions. Unlike genuine encouragement, flattery is rooted in deceit. It often seeks to gain favor, manipulate outcomes, or hide the truth. God values truth and integrity, and His Word repeatedly warns against flattering lips.

Psalm 12:2-3 says, “Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts. May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.” This passage clearly shows that flattery is a spiritual issue and a sign of a divided heart.

Proverbs especially warns about flattery, linking it to ruin, betrayal, and even seduction. In contrast, honesty and humility are praised.

Let’s consider the Bible’s overall message regarding flattery:

Flattery is deceptive. It often masks hidden motives and can lead people astray.
Flattery destroys trust. It can ruin friendships, relationships, and even communities by fostering falsehood.
Flattery reveals the heart. Jesus taught that what we say flows from what’s in our hearts. Flattery reveals pride and self-interest.

God values honesty and sincerity. Scripture repeatedly calls believers to speak the truth in love rather than seeking to manipulate others with empty praise.

40 Bible Verses About Flattery

Below are 40 Bible verses about flattery:

Psalm 12:2-3 “Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts. May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.”
Proverbs 26:28 “A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
Proverbs 29:5 “Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet.”
Proverbs 28:23 “Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.”
Proverbs 7:21 “With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.”
Job 32:21-22 “I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone; for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.”
Jude 1:16 “These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.”
Romans 16:18 “For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”
Psalm 36:2 “In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin.”
Psalm 5:9 “Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies.”
Proverbs 20:19 “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.”
Proverbs 27:6 “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
Psalm 55:21 “His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.”
1 Thessalonians 2:5 “You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.”
Proverbs 24:28 “Do not testify against your neighbor without cause—would you use your lips to mislead?”
Job 17:5 “If anyone denounces their friends for reward, the eyes of their children will fail.”
Proverbs 6:24 “Keeping you from your neighbor’s wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.”
Psalm 78:36 “But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues.”
Daniel 11:32 “With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.”
Proverbs 26:23 “Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.”
Job 13:10 “He would surely call you to account if you secretly showed partiality.”
Proverbs 18:21 “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Psalm 10:7 “His mouth is filled with lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.”
Proverbs 19:5 “A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.”
Micah 2:11 “If a liar and deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ that would be just the prophet for this people!”
Isaiah 30:10 “They say to the seers, ‘See no more visions!’ and to the prophets, ‘Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.’”
Proverbs 10:18 “Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.”
Psalm 144:8 “Whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.”
2 Samuel 14:20 “Your servant Joab did this to change the present situation. My lord has wisdom like that of an angel of God—he knows everything that happens in the land.”
Psalm 119:29 “Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law.”
Proverbs 12:22 “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
Zechariah 8:17 “Do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.
Proverbs 15:4 “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
Psalm 31:18 “Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.”
Proverbs 16:28 “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
Isaiah 59:3 “For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things.”
Jeremiah 9:8 “Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully. With their mouths they all speak cordially to their neighbors, but in their hearts they set traps for them.”
Psalm 120:2 “Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.”
Proverbs 21:6 “A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.”
Proverbs 26:24-25 “Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.”

How to Respond to Flattery Biblically

As believers, we must learn to discern between sincere encouragement and manipulative praise. Here are a few biblical principles to keep in mind:

Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23): Don’t let flattering words puff you up or make you feel entitled.
Speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15): Offer praise when it’s genuine, but avoid exaggeration.
Stay humble (James 4:6): Flattery often feeds pride, but humility is favored by God.
Correct in truth (Proverbs 28:23): Don’t avoid honest feedback for the sake of being liked.
Avoid manipulative speech (Colossians 3:9): Choose integrity over gaining favor.

Conclusion

These 40 Bible verses about flattery remind us to guard our speech, reject insincerity, and embrace truth. Flattery may sound sweet, but it often leads to ruin, destroys trust, and displeases God. Instead of seeking approval through flattering words, let’s focus on building honest, sincere relationships based on truth and love.

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