How to Avoid the Double Whammy of These Two Personalities
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A Double Whammy
A double whammy is a two-fold blow or setback is defined as a two-fold blow or setback. Most people use the phrase to describe a detrimental and powerful event or impact in life.
In weather, a combination of two dangerous events, like a cluster of tornadoes and excessive flooding, could be a double-whammy. The combination of increased inflation and higher unemployment would be an economic double-whammy.
A double-whammy in sports could be a one-two punch combination in boxing or when a baseball pitcher intentionally walks a good hitter to load the bases for a force-out, only to give up a grand slam home run to the next batter.
The two selected verses below from Proverbs 29 show us a double whammy—the double dilemma of stubbornness and flattery. The whammy effect of being stubborn is a little easier to see than the deceptive trap of flattery.
Some double whammies happen to us. But others we bring on ourselves. These verses speak of the latter—what we bring upon ourselves. The first is the outcome of a defiant and obstinate nature. The second shows a lack of discernment.
Scripture
A person who will not bend after many warnings
will suddenly be broken beyond repair.
A person who flatters his neighbor
is spreading a net for him to step into. (Proverbs 29:1, 5 GW)
(Context— (Proverbs 29:1-17 GW)
Simple Insights
Stubbornness isn’t just being strong-willed. A strong-willed person can learn to turn what others see as stubbornness into perseverance. One example is the life of POW Louis Zamperini, as told in the book Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand. There’s also a movie adapted from the book, but the book is much better.
The book portrays Louis' life journey, starting from trouble and leading to Olympic success. He then endures the hardships of a Japanese POW camp during World War II, and navigates the complexities of post-war life, ultimately finding fulfillment and redemption. It’s a great insight into how stubbornness can become perseverance, but can also be destructive.
Another Bible version describes a person “who will not bend after many warnings” as “stiff-necked.” This describes a person who resists correction and warning, including rebukes, for attitudes and behaviors that harm or impact others.
You might think of a repeat offender who is in and out of jail, but this also applies to a person who offends others but refuses to make amends or apologize to anyone. It could even apply to someone who refuses to heed medical advice and warnings to their own detriment.
Natural consequences will take their toll at some point and lead to a loss of freedom, broken relationships, poor health, a psychological breakdown, or death.
God will mercifully try to intervene in the life of a stubborn or stiff-necked person, but will not stop those bent on self-destruction when they refuse His merciful corrections and interventions.
And what about flattery? How could this be the other side of a double whammy?
The destructive impact of flattery can go two ways. It can be a snare for those deceived by someone’s smooth talk, and it can also bring a reversal of intended deception through the use of flattery.
We can use flattery in an insincere, deceptive way to trap someone intentionally at their own expense and for our profit. But the trap laid to ensnare a person can also become a pit to fall into by the one who flatters someone.
We also need to guard our hearts from the self-deception of believing someone’s flattery, whether it’s insincere or excessive praise. This requires discernment on our part.
On one hand, when we take to heart flattering words, we create a snare of pride for ourselves. When we only want to hear and accept the praise of others while shunning any criticism, we set ourselves up for a fall.
If we flatter others for our own gain, people will eventually see through it and disregard anything we say, even when we’re not flattering them. People will see us as dishonest, prideful, and unreliable. This is the nature of a sycophant—the use of self-seeking flattery.
How can we avoid the pitfalls of self-destructive stubbornness and the deceptiveness of flattery? Two simple things come to mind—honesty and humility.
Humility is the only real antidote for pride and conceit. Genuine humility can help us guard our hearts from self-destructive attitudes and behaviors, as well as the deceptiveness of flattery.
We need to be honest with ourselves and be willing to hear the honesty of others—especially from trustworthy people.
Reflection—
We can avoid the pitfalls of self-destructive stubbornness and the deceptiveness of flattery when we’re willing to be honest with ourselves, accept honesty, and pursue genuine humility, the only real antidote for pride and conceit.
Prayer Focus—
Do you identify with either the stubborn person or someone prone to flatter or listen to flattery? Pray for discernment and wisdom. Ask God to show you how to humble yourself and be open to the truth.
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