Pro 29:6 | KingComments | STEP | Flattery is like a net to catch an animal with ( ). Flattery is manipulation, for the purpose is to use that person for one’s own purposes and not to praise him. The “neighbor” who is flattered may thereby become enchanted and fall unnoticed into the flatterer’s power. Thus he has become caught in the net that “a man” has spread “for his steps” and the flatterer has succeeded in his purpose. The verse is about the flatterer, not about the one who is flattered, but is of course a clear warning not to be bewitched by flattery. Flattery is a hypocritical compliment. When we are flattered, it awakens the latent pride within us. Caressed vanity contributes to believing what the flatterer says. Flattery is literally “to make someone soft”. The saying “smearing someone with butter”, with the intention of eating him, does tie in with this. “An evil man” is ensnared in his own transgression ( ). His transgression is a snare from which he cannot free himself. Because he is an evil man, the transgression is not an incident, but a frequent occurrence. He cannot do otherwise; it is in him, in his evil nature, to which he holds on and by which he is held. Unlike an evil man, “the righteous sings and rejoices” in the security and peace he enjoys. A righteous has no fear of a snare and can sing and rejoice. He is overjoyed and is at full liberty to express his joy over what God has given and will give him. The righteous has his source of joy in God.

‏ Proverbs 29:6

Snares

Flattery is like a net to catch an animal with (Pro 29:5). Flattery is manipulation, for the purpose is to use that person for one’s own purposes and not to praise him. The “neighbor” who is flattered may thereby become enchanted and fall unnoticed into the flatterer’s power. Thus he has become caught in the net that “a man” has spread “for his steps” and the flatterer has succeeded in his purpose.

The verse is about the flatterer, not about the one who is flattered, but is of course a clear warning not to be bewitched by flattery. Flattery is a hypocritical compliment. When we are flattered, it awakens the latent pride within us. Caressed vanity contributes to believing what the flatterer says. Flattery is literally “to make someone soft”. The saying “smearing someone with butter”, with the intention of eating him, does tie in with this.

“An evil man” is ensnared in his own transgression (Pro 29:6). His transgression is a snare from which he cannot free himself. Because he is an evil man, the transgression is not an incident, but a frequent occurrence. He cannot do otherwise; it is in him, in his evil nature, to which he holds on and by which he is held.

Unlike an evil man, “the righteous sings and rejoices” in the security and peace he enjoys. A righteous has no fear of a snare and can sing and rejoice. He is overjoyed and is at full liberty to express his joy over what God has given and will give him. The righteous has his source of joy in God.