The Authentic Person

The devil uses flattery to gain control over others. We saw this in the garden as he conversed with Eve. He convinced her she could be like God, knowing everything He knows.

There are modern deceptions, namely electronics, similar to the account in the garden that are being employed right now without the user realizing it.

There is a device I am sure all of you have heard about, perhaps even some of you have them in your homes. That device is called "Echo" and its name is "Alexis."

Alexis will do the bidding of their owner. All the owner has to do is command the robot-like device to find information for them and then answer their questions. She speaks with a pleasant, soft and obedient voice.

This device has the ability to monitor conversations in the room in which it resides. It is always on, hearing everything that goes on in the room, but only responding when addressed directly.

Since the device does not speak until commanded by the owner, the people using it believes they are in control of the device, when in fact the device is covertly in control of them. The device gathers information for purposes of targeted advertising.

Manipulation is an often used and a very effective tactic of the devil. When people flatter those around them to gain their confidence, they are disarming their prey. People are more likely to do what we want when we schmooze them up good first.

Sadly the devil uses flattery to get people to believe things that defy, even mock God without realizing it . When levity is used in the preaching at the church gathering, it is designed to place the hearers in a state of euphoria that often causes them to accept whatever is being said without evaluating it. If the preacher can get people to like him, they will place him on a pedestal, as one who can do no wrong, after all "he's such a friendly guy", is their thinking.

Just as the device in the room is making people think they are getting what they want and in complete control of the device, they have been flattered, feeling powerful they leave the device on all the time for it to be at their beckon call.

In our generation many people despise seriousness and truth that causes introspection. Because they are addicted to jokes, happiness and fantasy, as well as control over others, they are ready and willing to accept anything that makes them feel good, especially if it makes them feel good about themselves.

Just recently I was in a conversation with someone who thought that continual joking was the way to win people. He is right, it does win people, but we have to ask what does it win them too?

Joking constantly disarms people just as flattery does. An honest and spontaneous joke that comes up because of circumstances is enjoyable. However those who deliberately seek to make people laugh all the time, are using manipulation to gain the admiration of others to themselves. Even though the claim is to make others happy, even making them like God, the real intent is to get others to like them.

One way to test this is to ask the jester a serious question, they often will squirm as though they don't know what to do with it. Then they will make a joke about the question to deflect any attempt to move into authentic, earnest and thoughtful reflection or evaluation.

It is nearly impossible to reason with someone who will not engage in conversation to answer questions or resolve arguments.

What I find interesting is that when a jester is asked a serious question they can not answer, they turn into a ravenous wolf.

Suddenly without warning they become angry, accusatory and vengeful. Oops, the real them slithered out of hiding. The joking had been manipulation all along. No one suddenly erupts into rage when questioned unless the joking was a manipulation, a dishonest and cunning display of fraud.

We have seen an increase in this form of manipulation in our day. Many people are hiding inside, they know their inner man is not what it should be so they display on the outside what they think is expected of them until they are challenged. In other words the inner heart has been exposed, they have been discovered, then is when we see the eruption.

"Duplicity" is a good word, it describes the condition of the person who is deeply entrenched in hypocrisy. Displaying on the outside what is not true about them on the inside.

Matthew 23:26-28 "…26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well. 27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every impurity. 28 In the same way, you appear to be righteous on the outside, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

The person who is authentically themselves, will not be different on the outside than they are on the inside. There are no hidden agendas or secret motives. They tell the truth and act the way they speak. There are no sudden explosions of anger, because the inside is not angry. The authentic person is confident and forthright. They feel no need to hide because they live what they believe.

The authentic person is not concerned with impressing others, truth means more to them than the acceptance of others. God means more to them than anyone on earth. If they had to be alone to honor God, they would happily do that.

Proverbs 29:24-26 "…24 A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but will not testify. 25 The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD will be set securely on high. 26 Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD."