Walk away and stay away!

There will be those who will continue to mock and intimidate to silence us, do not allow it, walk away and stay away, moving toward those who may want to hear.

Some of the biggest obstacles to our Christian walk and our openness are those withing the Christians community. They want to dominate others with their modern philosophy of humanism while shutting down our ability and right to speak.

When a "Christian" attempts to silence us through these methods, know that the devil is using their mouth. Those who use intimidation and mocking have been indoctrinated to believe they are doing God's will by disciplining those who use the Bible as their source for all things.

Those who use the tactics as I described have all the love in the world for those who are sinning but have no love for those who would point out the sin. Their hostility is not only toward us, but also toward God.

Another tactic of the devil that is used often is "flattery", it is used to disarm. When we have been flattered we are more likely to remain silent to keep the flattery coming and the devil knows it. He flattered Eve in the garden by getting her to question whether or not God really said what He said. Then the devil told her she could become like God. She didn't have to look to God anymore, she could look within herself and to human methods to be fulfilled and happy.

"Encouragement" is far different from flattery. Flatter says, "you are so wonderful", "you are so attractive." However encouragement says "keep going for the Lord, He can help you do it."

Flattery disarms and encouragement builds confidence to keep going in the right direction.

Proverbs 29:5
"A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet."

Psalm 5:9
"For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue."

Proverbs 26:24-28
"Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin."

Proverbs 28:23
"Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue."

Encouragement is our goal as believers;

Isaiah 40:31 "31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 43:2 "2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
Proverbs 18:10 "10 The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

Flattery causes us to focus on our selves and builds pride, Encouragement causes us to focus on God and trust in Him.