Why Some Great Men Fall. Part [16] 09/24/2025 (Morning thought)

1st Kings 22:11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, thus saith the Lord, with these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them. 12 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-Gilead, and prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it into the king's hand.

In other words, when a person is motivated by praise and flattery, it can discombobulate the man, thus leading him like Humpty-dumpty to take a great fall. That was the last battle king Ahab fought, for he was slain because he craved flattery over truth, and anyone who is in a high position of trust, who caves, and melts before praise, will be in danger of making very bad decisions not only for themselves, but also for all those who are under their jurisdiction.

[Christ’s Object Lessons 161] We need to shun everything that will encourage pride and self-sufficiency; therefore, we should beware of giving or receiving flattery or praise. It is Satan’s work to flatter. He deals in flattery as well as in accusing and condemnation. Thus, he seeks to work the ruin of the soul. Those who give praise to men are used by Satan as his agents. Let the workers for Christ direct every word of praise away from themselves. Let self be put out of sight. Christ alone is to be exalted.

[3] The third and final point is for us to observe if there is any developing tendency in our lives to leave God out of the picture in certain circumstances. Some great men and some lay men fall into the habit of praying selectively, by which God’s guidance is sought for some things, but not for others. If we form the habit of seeking God in everything, then the likelihood of taking a serious fall goes way down. In the Bible, we are encouraged to seek The Lord in all our ways, and the promise is given, that God will direct our paths in right places.

Proverbs 3:4 So shall you find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of his word. God bless!

Why Some Great Men Fall. Part [15] 09/24/2025 (Evening thought)

Daniel 5:13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spoke and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?

Daniel 5:14 I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. 15 And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing.

Daniel 5:16 And I’ve heard of you that you make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if you can read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. 17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

That was very excellent, and noble of Daniel to deflect all praises to God, but there is a flipside to this coin, because if, and when a person suffers with praise, it can cause the person in question to not only make very bad decisions it could cost him his life. Praise to the human agent has the effect of destabilizing clear thought and if you are not very careful, it will cause you to do things you would never do under different circumstances.

1st Kings 22:6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth-Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!