Beware of being "The Religious Flatterer"!

Beware of being "The Religious Flatterer"!

August 25, 2013 at 10:05am

Many professing Christians have the faulty notion that Jesus wants them to be friendly'friends' with sinners. They honestly believe their job is to obsequiously make people"feel good about themselves", even when they know that the person is living in willful violation of the just, holy, reasonable demands of their Creator. 

It is said to beware of the flatterer. 

He feeds you with an empty spoon. 

Is being nice, tolerant & cool around those who live in continued rebellion against God really the way the disciples of Christ are to be? 

Is it true LOVE to comfort & encourage a person as they persist IN THEIR SIN? 

The Holy Spirit says:

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, 

but rather expose/reprove them."

~ Ephesians 5:11

These works of darkness are unfruitful, 

whatever profit they may boast; 

for they end 

in the destruction of the impenitent sinner. 

There are many ways of abetting, 

or taking part in 

the sins of others; 

by 

commendation, 

counsel, 

consent, 

or concealment. 

And if we share with others 

in their sins, 

we must expect to share 

in their plagues. 

If we do not reprove the sins of others, 

we have fellowship with them. 

~ Matthew Henry 

And, what about those who live in continual sin who purport to "believe in God", 

perhaps even calls themselves a "Christian"? 

Are we to extend unsanctified grace to them, 

& treat them as if they are a brother or a sister in the Lord? 

It is my observation that many professing Christians give those who live in willful rebellion against God's Law the idea that His blessed promises apply to them. 

The Holy Spirit says:

...sexual immorality 

and all impurity or covetousness 

must not even be named among you, 

as is proper among saints.

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, 

which are out of place, 

but instead let there be thanksgiving.

For you may be sure of this, 

that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, o

r who is covetous (that is, an idolater), 

has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 

Let no one deceive you with empty words, 

for because of these things 

the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 

Therefore do not become partners with them; 

for at one time you were darkness, 

but now you are light in the Lord. 

Walk as children of light 

(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 
and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 

~ Ephesians 5:3-10

But rather even reprove them. 

Do not be content with a passive attitude towards them, 

but take the aggressive and expose their wickedness, 

whether in public or in the domestic circle. 

A testimony has to be lifted up 

against ways that are so shameful 

and that bring down the wrath of God. 

~ Pulpit Commentary

Any manipulation of the Scriptures 
to make them speak peace to the natural man 
is evil and can only lead to ruin.
- A. W. Tozer

The Holy Spirit says:

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother 

if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, 

or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—

not even to eat with such a one.

~ I Corinthians 5:11

Sin is "darkness," and its parent is the prince of darkness (Eph 6:12). 

To provide comfort to a person IN their sin 

is aiding & abetting their father, 

Satan himself.

With "friends" like that, who needs enemies?