2341) There’s a difference between encouraging and flattering. When we encourage, we are supporting someone. We hope to bring confidence and maybe hope. (Oxford Languages.)

To flatter someone, we give insincere praise, usually to further one’s own interests. (Oxford Languages.)

The word flatter in Hebrew is chalaq, which means to separate and divide. (biblehub.com) Flattering does the opposite of encourage and it can be easily done.

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

When we choose to manipulate (and yes, that’s what flattery is) others, we are setting up something bad for them and for us. If we’re honest, we will admit flattery gets us into nothing that’s good.