Blandishments refer to flattering or persuasive speech and actions intended to coax or influence someone into doing something. In the context of the Bible, blandishments are often associated with deceit and manipulation, contrasting with the virtues of honesty and integrity that Scripture upholds.

Biblical References and Context

While the term "blandishments" itself does not appear in the Berean Standard Bible, the concept is evident throughout Scripture. The Bible frequently warns against the dangers of deceitful speech and the seductive nature of flattering words.

Proverbs and Wisdom Literature

The Book of Proverbs, known for its practical wisdom, addresses the perils of flattering speech. Proverbs 26:28 states, "A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin." Here, the connection between flattery and destruction is made clear, warning believers to be wary of those who use smooth words for selfish gain.

Proverbs 29:5 further cautions, "A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet." This imagery suggests that flattery can be a trap, ensnaring both the one who speaks it and the one who receives it.

New Testament Warnings

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently warns against deceitful speech within the church. In Romans 16:18 , Paul writes, "For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the hearts of the naive." This passage highlights the danger of being led astray by those who use charming words to serve their own interests rather than the truth of the Gospel.

Paul's epistles often emphasize the importance of sincerity and truthfulness in speech. In 1 Thessalonians 2:5 , he reminds the Thessalonian church, "As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!" This statement underscores the apostolic commitment to integrity and the rejection of manipulative speech.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

From a biblical perspective, blandishments are not merely a social faux pas but a moral and spiritual issue. They are often associated with the sinful nature of humanity, which seeks to manipulate and control others for personal advantage. The Bible calls believers to a higher standard, one that reflects the character of God, who is truth and love.

The use of blandishments is contrary to the biblical call for honesty and transparency. Ephesians 4:25 exhorts, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another." This call to truthfulness is foundational to Christian ethics and community life.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not use the term "blandishments," the concept is woven throughout its teachings on speech and integrity. Believers are encouraged to discern the motives behind flattering words and to cultivate a spirit of truthfulness and sincerity in all their interactions.

How they are to be Admonished who Lament Sins of Deed, and those ...
... For commonly the crafty foe, when he sees the soul which he trips up by sin to be
afflicted for its fall, seduces it by the blandishments of baneful security. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxix how they are.htm

Whether There Can be Mortal Sin in Touches and Kisses?
... upbringing. But these are not affected by kisses and touches or blandishments.
Therefore there is no mortal sin in these. Objection ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be mortal.htm

Remarks on Some of the "Dangers and Wounds" Referred to in the ...
... a Gentile she will carry out Gentile practices,"personal attractiveness, dressing
of the head, worldly [469] elegancies, baser blandishments, the very ...
/.../tertullian/to his wife/chapter iii remarks on some of.htm

Prepositional Phrases
... birds of prey. bit of portraiture. bitterness of anguish. blackness of spirit.
blandishments of society. blast of adversity. blaze of fury. blend of dignity. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section v prepositional phrases.htm

Enduring to the End
... there are multitudes of the softer temptations to turn the head and trip the feet
of the youthful herald of the cross; and when the blandishments of early ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/enduring to the end.htm

Womanhood of the Byzantine Decadence
... But her love for Irene was greater than the fear of punishment, and, in spite of
the censure and the blandishments of her parent, she could never reconcile ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/xv womanhood of the byzantine.htm

The Example Set us by the Martyrs, whom no Force could Hinder from ...
... does not at least earnestly desire to follow those whom no force could deter from
defending the faith of their ancestors, no threats, no blandishments, not life ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter v the example set.htm

Song of Songs
... the poem celebrates the fidelity of a peasant maid who had been captured and brought
to Solomon's harem, but who steadily resisted his blandishments and was ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/song of songs.htm

The Sixth Petition Corresponds as we have Observed to the Promise ...
... which by their glare, and the semblance of good which they present, generally dazzle
the eyes of men, and so entice by their blandishments, that, caught by ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 46 the sixth petition.htm

But Now, what it is Necessary for Me to Say on the Subject of The. ...
... may be expressed in the words of the Saviour to those who swallow a camel, and wear
the outward garb of the hypocrite, begirt with blandishments and flatteries ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/21 but now what it.htm

Blandishments (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Blandishments (3 Occurrences). Daniel 11:21 And
in his place shall stand up a contemptible person, to whom ...
/b/blandishments.htm - 7k

Flatter (5 Occurrences)
... etc. 4. (vt) To treat with praise or blandishments; to gratify or attempt
to gratify the self-love or vanity of, esp. by artful ...
/f/flatter.htm - 8k

Blandishment (1 Occurrence)

/b/blandishment.htm - 6k

Blanket (1 Occurrence)

/b/blanket.htm - 7k

Display (30 Occurrences)
... Daniel 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall be corrupt by
blandishments; but the people that know their God shall show strength, and prevail ...
/d/display.htm - 15k

Songs (100 Occurrences)
... The fidelity of the Shulammite to her shepherd lover, notwithstanding the blandishments
of the wealthy and gifted king, stands as a rebuke to the notion that ...
/s/songs.htm - 62k

Song (207 Occurrences)
... The fidelity of the Shulammite to her shepherd lover, notwithstanding the blandishments
of the wealthy and gifted king, stands as a rebuke to the notion that ...
/s/song.htm - 78k

Samson (37 Occurrences)
... man. Passion ruled. He could not resist the blandishments of women. In short,
he was an overgrown schoolboy, without self-mastery. ...
/s/samson.htm - 37k

Secure (78 Occurrences)
... person, upon whom had not been conferred the majesty of the kingdom; but he shall
come in time of security, and shall obtain the kingdom by blandishments. ...
/s/secure.htm - 30k

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