"The true Watchers and Prayers" Part 2 (Kept in Check)

This is the 83^rd letter:

Text for the day: 1 Corinthians 4:6

And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

Our Theme for the day: “The true Watchers and Prayers” Part 2

(Kept in Check)

Our Devotional

Today we look at part two in our series called “Watching and Praying.” As we saw yesterday there are so many things in which we must watch out for less we fall. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12) - Another in the line of those is Flattery. This act is a serious matter of which all need to watch themselves for. Flattery, adulation or blandishment is the act of giving excessive compliments. To most people who speak on behalf of someone or introduce them, they do nothing more than flatter their listeners with notions of the facts that are believed to be favorable to the hearer without certainty of the truthfulness of the notions conveyed. On this point many have been lad astray never to come again to a humble spirit in Christ Jesus. Flattery is a part of the world's policy, but it is no part of God’s policy. Through flattery poor human beings, full of frailty and infirmities, come to think that they are efficient and worthy, and become puffed up in their fleshly mind. Paul understanding this very thing said to the people in 1 Corinthians 4:6 that no one should be pushed up to become puffed up against another.

Because they will become intoxicated with the idea that they possess ability’s beyond what they really have, and their religious experience becomes unbalanced. Another reason why we must watch flattery, is that the listener to flattery will after a period of time become converted to what is being said and think the person is more than what they really are when they are not. Many youth have been flattered that they have a natural gift or ability; by there ability they think they have arrived, but they become the victim of pride, and then destruction. True success can only be attained through diligent training and culture, learning the meekness and lowliness in Christ. Today there are many who think there is no necessity of putting there mind to the task of mastering what they do; and before they are aware, they are fast in the snare of Satan. But God will permit you to be attacked by the enemy in this way, in order to help you understand your weakness, and His great love to you. If you are going to dwell with the angels in Heaven, then its time to put away all flattery from your lips, for it is Satan's work to flatter.

Take a look at the poor, weak, and fallen, they generally think enough of themselves. Every one needs to know that Flattery is not in the mouth of the converted Christian. They have learned that it leads to a perverted mind and does not lead to meekness and humility. Yet there are thousands of men and women who love to be praised, and it is too frequent the case that servant leaders love it too. Their vanity is gratified by it, but it has proved a curse to many. If you desire to help someone today reprove them, by this you will help them. Because flattery will only paralyzes them, and finally cause their ruin. “A great wrong has been done in this way. All should think and speak modestly of their own capabilities, and should be careful not to encourage pride and self-esteem in others.”— (5T 478) - Finally the results of the danger of flattery by others are also the results of self flattery. It is difficult for us to understand ourselves, to have a correct knowledge of our own characters.

The Word of God is plain, but often there is an error in applying it to one's self. There is liability to self-deception and to think its warnings and reproofs are not speaking to me. But the Bible says "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). Self flattery may be construed into Christian emotion and zeal. But it is synonyms to self-congratulation, self-satisfaction, self-praise, self-glorification, self-aggrandizement, self-glory, self-promotion, boasting, bragging, and conceit, which is all vanity. Self-love and confidence may give us assurance that we are right when we are far from meeting the requirements of God's Word. As servant leaders, and those who are longing for our saviour’s soon coming, its time to keep ourselves and those under or above us in check.

Join us next time for another ray of sunshine from Garden Ministry.

We are into our 20th week since starting Garden Ministry; it is growing with new people asking to subscribe to it each day. If you are gaining spiritual muscle mass, and strength through Garden Ministry, and would like to help some-one else gain Spiritual muscle mass and strength also. Then send Garden Ministry your Testimony at, http://gardenministry.blogspot.com/ . Garden Ministry would love to share your Testimony with our faithful viewers and readers. So ask yourselves, which letter or message from Garden Ministry helped you to hold on to your faith, or helped someone else hold on to theirs? Our Prayer for today: Lord, help us to speak of others only as you would do. Remember, you’re the only Jesus some will ever see. If you are blessed by these “uplifting gems”, share them. These letters are written by Elder Kevin Santucci For further information, comment or requests, E-mail Garden Ministry: http://gardenministry.blogspot.com/ Garden Ministry would love to thank you today for your prayers and continual faithfulness of sharing these letters with others like your self. Thank you for your insightful comments to Garden Ministry. If you love to leave a comment, go to our website at http://gardenministry.blogspot.com/ and then comment, follow the directions and then you will be finished. Truly I am encouraged how little can become much when you place it in the master’s hand. To all our faithful readers on behalf of the Garden Ministry team, we wish you Gods riches Blessings.