Challenges that Cause Spiritual Growth

No one should ever be angry at a rational and reasonable challenge.

I see challenges as a good thing. Challenges do two things if I am right and the challenge is wrong it hones my skills in giving a good answer.

If I am wrong it causes me to go to God seeking Him and a growth spurt happens.

Anyone who sees a challenge to them as a reason to fight and argue then is a person who is far too elevated in their own minds. Anger is almost always a clue that someone is unteachable walking in pride.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

"11 Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing."

Flattery does not build up it tears down. Encouragement to go on to greater holiness builds up. Coaching someone to go the right way when they are on the wrong path is the definition of encouragement.

The Definition of Encouragement: "the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope."

"Persuasion to do or to continue something.

"The act of trying to stimulate the development of an activity, state, or belief."

Flattery is not encouragement, in fact flattery has torn down more people than it has helped.

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."

Flattery is a form of lying through manipulation to affect emotions, keeping people off guard. We are less likely to evaluate someone who flatters us. I have seen people accept wrong things many times merely because the person speaking to them was flattering them.

Proverbs 28:23

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

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."

Psalm 12:3

"May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts,"

Salesmen and Prosperity Preachers use a lot of flattery to disarm their hearers.

Romans 16:18

"For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive."

Bottom Line: Flattery is evil and is not encouragement. Encouragement includes words like "keep going you're on the right road" or "stop, you must go the other way." Coaching someone to do the right thing, go the right way, and think the right things is encouragement.