THE DANGERS OF FALSE PRAISE
Ecclesiastes 7:5 (NIV 1984) It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.
The difference between conviction of the Spirit and condemnation of the accuser is the end goal. Conviction comes to correct our course and bring life and restoration. Condemnation comes to accuse, pass a sentence, and destroy. Conviction hopes for life whereas condemnation presses for death. In fact, one of the many comforting scriptures for believers is the Apostle Paul stating that there is no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ (Rom 8:1). Understanding this principle helps us explore the contrasts we see in our passage between the wise and the fool and between a rebuke and a song.
We must distinguish the difference between what we want to hear and what we need to hear. When a rebuke comes from the wise, even if delivered harshly, it brings us needed information that will work for our good; we must press past hurt feelings toward the good outcome intended. If we are foolish, we will justify ourselves, play the victim, and reject the rebuke, gathering around us people who foolhardily agree with us and only tell us what our itching ears want to hear (see 2 Tim 4:3). This leaves us in our sin and captive to foolish melodies.
From the wise we would welcome both a song and rebuke, because they come with wisdom and experience, and for our benefit, but from the fool we should accept nothing. It is in our nature to want praise from men. Often when we doubt ourselves and feel insecure about our abilities, the song, or praise, from the wise encourages us at the right moment and in right measure; but from the fool that encouragement is ill-timed and over-done, often with an ulterior motive to gain our favor and draw us into their debt, flattery, by definition, the siren of seduction with selfish intent.
While the flattering song of fools may give our ego the temporary boost it needs, the seductive, selfish spirit from which it originates leads us into a destructive interaction. Once we take the bait and accept the praise, we become beholden to its seductive choruses, for it does not come without strings. The song of fools bestows false confidence and demands loyalty; and it is here that we become slaves to our own insecurities. We are better to close our ears, refuse the drug, and wait, insecurity in tact, for the voice of the wise. With it comes true freedom and confidence. There is no flattery with the wise, only honesty, and if we can receive their praise and heed their rebuke, we will enter their ranks. Amplifying the voice of the wise trains our ears to tune out the song of fools, flattery loses its power, and we become better people. (See Ps 141:5; Prov 1:7; 12:1; 13:18; 15:31-32; 20:30; 25:12, 27; Jn 12:43; Rom 16:17-19; 1 Cor 11:32; Gal 1:10-11; 1 Thes 2:5-6; Heb 12:5-6, 25; Rev 3:19)
