Proverbs 29:5 "To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet."
I have to admit that my favorite part of American Idol is the Auditions at the beginning of the season. It amazes me how many people think they can sing, when is reality they are horrible singers. When I read this scripture this morning in my quiet time I immediately thought about American Idol Auditions. "To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet", how many of those people auditioning had their family and friends flatter them with lies about their singing ability. Their flattery became a trap, it set them up for failure.
Now I wonder how many times we have been guilty of flattering our friends by telling them what they wanted to hear, instead of telling them the truth. The truth about their attitudes, their actions, their decisions or their choices. We think we are being kind but in reality we are setting a trap for them. We are setting them up for failure because we are unwilling to speak the truth in love. Which is the way truth is intended to be spoken.
When we are honest with people because we love them and want the best for their lives, we help them succeed. When we are unwilling to be honest with people, when they ask our opinion or advice we lay a trap for them and actually keep them from future success. When we are confronted with truth, we are empowered to change and grow, lies only push us faster down the wrong road. This morning make a decision to "speak the truth in love" and help your friends succeed in life and fulfill God's calling upon their lives.
