... flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.
Jude 1:16
We all know them. Friends who befriend us for what they can get out of us. In the marketplace, sellers, in a friendly attempt to win over buyers, can give off a BFF (best friends forever) vibe. However, seasoned buyers can sense this a mile off. Using emotional currencies to win friends is normal, but falsifying friendship by misrepresenting motives is sinful. Here are a few ways to judge motives in relationships:
Pretending Friendships
- Only want something from you.
- Prioritize profit ahead of people.
- Focused on adding value to self.
- Manipulates for personal benefit.
Genuine Friendships
- Always want the best for you.
- Put people ahead of profit.
- Focused on adding value to others.
- Acts for mutual benefit.
REFLECT TO CONNECT
- Who in your business world falls into the pretending vs. genuine friendship category?
- Have you ever fallen prey to misrepresenting your motives for the sake of a deal?
- Does your “integrity monitor” go off when someone untrustworthy crosses your path in business?
Manipulators maneuver to get something from you; friends look for ways to serve you.
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