What is Flattery or sycophancy? It is sweet talk or lavishing of unmerited praises and those who practice it have an obstinate and obnoxious obsession to project, falsely adore and admire a leader. They pretend to be well wishers of the leader but in reality are responsible for the failure.
A leader who loves flattery are mostly despots with a penchant for authoritarian streaks, who does not believe in orderly administration of justice. He keeps personal ambitions and egos above anything else and the interests of the community is hardly a matter of concern. What follows will be that the relationship between the leader and the community at large, especially at the grass root level, is completely cut off to be replaced by a narrowed down relation between the leader and the coterie of a handful of sycophants around. Such a leader will never know or care to know the truths and real facts but will depend on lies and fabled stories, wisdom and discernment could hardly be seen in their words and decisions. Result, love and reverence is replaced by hate and contempt , willful obedience is replaced by vengeance use of authority and coercions and threat of punishments. History proves, time again, that such leaders are doomed to fail and meet their disgraceful end.
What does Bible says on this ? Is it Christian to practice sycophancy, promote it or partake it or be silent when we see evils ?
About flatterers Bible says in Jude 116 ‘’ These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage’’ and about leaders who are slaves of sweet talkers Romans 16:18 says that flattery and fancy talk fools the minds of naive people and .. they are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. Proverbs 29:12 says ‘’ If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.’’
While the despots in political world, to cling on to their positions , make ruthless use of deadly weapons, authority and armed forces to physically eliminate those who raise any voice of dissent or cry for justice, in spiritual world such leaders and their protectors resort mainly to emotional blackmailing to shut up the oppressed lot of victims, convey the impression that it is ungodly to criticize or draw out the evil practices of the leaders. We should not forget, there is nothing like holy sin or unholy sin , holiness cease to be there in a person when sin overpower him/her.
What is the motivation of sweet talkers? Do they really serve the interest of the their leader ? It is hardly the love or respect towards the leader but to serve their own vested interests and a leader who loves the honey coated words go out of the way to concede to the unjust and selfish demands of the sycophants, shows no pang to flout, bent and break all normal rules and norms to serve the interests of the self and appease and shield a miniscule minority who sing songs of praise to the leader and, in the process, pervert and deny justice to a vast majority.
Are we really expected to keep silent to such practices ? Bible does not teach us to be silent, it is no less than partaking in the evils, Leviticus 19:17 says “…. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt’’ Prov. 24:24 warns ‘’ Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations’’ and Prov17:15 says ‘’ Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the LORD detests them both’’ Prov24:11 demands us ‘’ Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.’’ Prov 28:23 says ‘’Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue’’
Bible clearly teaches us to have an intolerant attitude towards evil doers even if they pretend to be holy man or apostle. While the e church of Ephesus is praised by Lord for intolerance for the wicked. “……. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.’’( Rev.2:2) ‘’But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.’’( Rev2:6) , the church of Thyatira is rebuked for their tolerance to the evil. “…. Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants ……….’’ (Rev.2:20)
‘’It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools’’ (Eccles. 7:5)
It is surely a sin , a sin of omission, to keep silent at the evil doers. James 519 …, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. Ezekiel 318 says ‘’When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for[b] their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.’’
Jeremiah 2314 and 15 warns to those who strengthen the hands of evildoers, “I will make them eat bitter food and drink poisoned water..’
The worst enemy or curse that could happen to a leader is to be a victim or slave of sycophancy coz the sycophants will always keep them in dark, push and brace them to do more and more evils till he gets doomed to his disgraceful end. And when a leader starts dancing to the tunes of his yes men , the disgrace and desolation is not limited to that person. The high and honored position he holds and the community he represent are also brought to ignominy and myriad of miseries.
God has a way of flushing us out of our quiet little places, and when he does we must be ready to speak for Him and be unfazed and resolute in the midst of provocations and threat and take courage in the word of God in 1 Peter3:14&17 ‘’ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[b]; do not be frightened’’ 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil’’
Sajan