A WORD TO THE WISE. Proverbs 29: 5. "Traps & Antecedents"

Proverbs 29: 5     A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

Proverbs 29:5.  First, the grammar issue.  In Proverbs 29: 5, does the pronoun his refer to the neighbor or to the guy who flatters the neighbor?  

We English teachers call this an “unclear antecedent.”  The word antecedent means the cause that produces the effect, the person to whom the pronoun refers. 

Stay with me, now.

When someone showers you with flattery, that is with compliments that you haven’t earned, what that someone may be doing is pulling down your guard, getting your to weaken your defenses, buttering you up before they stick you in the oven.  The flatter-er may be trying to distract you from the trap they want to spring on you.

In the mind of the trickster, the net is for you.  You are the prey.  You are the reason for the trap.  As far as the flatter-er is concerned, you are the antecedent.

But (and here’s the beautiful clarity of the Bible’s ambiguity), when you walk in righteousness according to the Spirit, God confuses your enemies’ plans.  They intend for you to be the antecedent; you are the reason for the trap.  God makes them the antecedent; and the tricksters get caught in their own nets.  

When you love the Lord and you walk according to His purpose and His calling in your life, then God makes all things work together for your good.  All things.  

So, when the praise is insincere, when the compliments have an ulterior motive, when the pats on your back are probing for a good spot to stick the knife----- even then---- God will cause all of that to work to your benefit.

When people try to distract you while they put a stumbling block in your path, don’t go off.  Just say, “Thank you, Lord, for sending them with a stepping stone to take me higher.” 

When someone “promotes” you into a situation they’ve arranged to guarantee your failure, don’t ball up into a fetal knot and wait for your doom. Just say, “Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to push beyond my comfort zone, to grow in knowledge, to increase my skills, to expand my circle of resources, and to excel for Your glory.”

Now, not every compliment is  a trick.  Sometimes praise is just simply sincere praise.  But, you don’t have to stress over whether it’s sincere or not.  

Praise can encourage and inspire you, but compliments should never decide your actions. 

Let God lead you according to His plan.

What I’m saying is: If Jesus is the reason, the cause, the author, the antecedent of your actions; then it won't matter what the other reasons/ antecedents are.

---Anderson T. Graves II

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church

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