You Could Be Next

Complimenting is giving earned praise, admiration, congratulations to someone unless they use the niceties under the pretense of gaining information, at which point that person becomes a flatterer. Flattery cunningly “squeezes out” and uses news or supposed knowledge of someone to spin tales to tell others. The flatterer is commonly known as a talebearer, and willing listeners are their priority, not truth. What makes you think the people who long to spread secrets and “juicy” news no one else knows haven’t targeted you as you listen to their latest gossip? If you suspect such, avoid giving them audience: “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore, meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips” (Prov 20:19).