"Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king's personal aid their friend, asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king's country. So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, 'The voice of a god, and not of a man!' Then immediately an angel struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died."
Acts 12:20-23
Lobbying is nothing new. The lobbyist gets close to a person of influence in order to get some favor from the person in authority. He uses various tactics – bribery and flattery being two of the main tactics. Flattery is saying something you don't mean to get something you want. Jude wrote about people who "mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage" (Jude 16). Flattery builds up the ego. It is not a real problem until I begin to believe it, and think how good I am instead of giving the glory to God. Herod shows how pride destroys a person – eaten up by the worms of self-importance.
Today's Thought: Beware of flattery; it is destructive.
Have an honest day. Love you.
No comments:
Post a Comment