OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS WEDNESDAY 7TH AUGUST 2024 – FLATTERY VS APPRECIATION

Appreciation has to with speaking well of someone or letting them know how good they are. Flattery, on the other hand, is exaggerated appreciation. For example, when someone says that a lady is beautiful, that is a simple compliment. However, when such a person goes further to say that she is the most beautiful girl in the whole world and that she is his ride or die because, without her, he would not be able to breathe, that is flattery. Likewise, if a girl says that a man is the most powerful man in the world and that he has the strength of a thousand men, just know that she is lying.

Jesus, who is all in all, did not encourage flattery. When a disciple called Him good, He said, “Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.” He didn’t draw unnecessary attention to Himself; rather, He redirected the attention of the fellow who called Him good to God. As much as possible, avoid people who exaggerate or who are quick to shower accolades on you so that you don’t get easily distracted.

KEY POINT

Flatterers are deceptive; run from them.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Ezra 4:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23

HYMN 45, O GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST

1. O God, Our Help In Ages Past

Our Hope For Years To Come

Our Shelter From The Stormy Blast

And Our Eternal Home

2. Under The Shadow Of Thy Throne

Thy Saints Have Dwelt Secure

Sufficient Is Thine Arm Alone

And Our Defence Is Sure

3. Before The Hills In Order Stood

Or Earth Received Her Frame

From Everlasting Thou Art God

To Endless Years The Same

4. A Thousand Ages In Thy Sight

Are Like An Evening Gone

Short As The Watch That Ends The Night

Before The Rising Sun

5. Time, Like An Ever-Rolling Stream

Bears All Its Sons Away

They Fly Forgotten, As A Dream

Dies At The Opening Day

6. O God, Our Help In Ages Past

Our Hope For Years To Come

Be Thou Our Guard While Trouble Last

And Our Eternal Home