Flattery Killed the King- A Deadly Lesson in Ego, False Praise, and Its Fatal Consequences

I Don’t Know If You’ve Heard the Story of Herod Agrippa the grandson of the wicked King Herod who ruled during Jesus’ birth, but it’s an intense story of the danger of flattery—both giving it and receiving it—its entanglement with the ego, and the consequences of instant divine judgment.

Herod Agrippa I, the Herod of this story, wasn’t just powerful; he was also profoundly insecure, a man whose ego was so hungry that he became blind to manipulation. His downfall didn’t come through war, rebellion, or betrayal—no, his downfall came through something much more subtle, yet deadly: flattery.

Desperate People, Manipulative Tactics

At the time of Acts 12:20-23, Herod Agrippa I ruled over a large portion of Israel. The people of Tyre and Sidon—two important port cities—were in a desperate position. Their food supply depended on Herod’s territory, and tensions between them and the king were high. They knew that without his favor, they would starve.

Desperation often leads people to do things they wouldn’t normally do—lie, flatter, manipulate. And that’s exactly what these people did. Instead of humbly seeking peace with Herod, they resorted to a calculated strategy of excessive flattery.

They knew one thing about Herod: his ego was a bottomless pit.

In Acts 12:20-23, we’re told about a moment where Herod Agrippa I was deeply angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. These people were desperate—desperate for food. Their land relied on Herod’s kingdom for provisions, and they knew that without his favor, they would starve. But rather than seeking favor with truth or humility, they resorted to manipulation.

Here is the biblical account for reference:

Acts 12:20-23 (CSB) with all parts restored:

20 He {Herod} had been enraged with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They joined together, with one accord, to seek an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, the king's personal assistant, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food.21 On an appointed day, dressed in his royal robes, and seated on the throne, Herod delivered a speech to them.22 The assembled people began to shout, “It’s the voice of a god, not a man!”23 At once, an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give the glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died.

The people devised a cunning plan: they would inflate Herod’s ego with excessive, dishonest flattery. They appealed to his pride and insecurities, tricking him into thinking he was far more than just a king—something godlike. Their goal? Secure food and favor.

Their cries were not sincere worship but calculated lies. They knew his weakness: his hungry ego. Herod’s pride blinded him to the truth, and instead of rejecting the false praise, he ate it up like a starving man. He accepted their worship, feeding on their words as if they were truth.

The Poisoned Carrot of Flattery

When Herod appeared before the people in his royal robes and delivered a public address, the crowd began shouting, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man!” (Acts 12:22).

Let’s pause and reflect on that. Did the people genuinely believe Herod was a god? Of course not. They were desperate, and flattery was their tool. They were tricking Herod—stroking his ego with insincere praise because they wanted something in return: food and favor.

Flattery is like a carrot on a stick—it’s enticing, especially for someone whose insecurities make them crave validation. It was manipulation at its finest. They didn’t care if what they were saying was true; they cared about survival. Herod, however, swallowed the carrot whole. Their words were poison, but he couldn’t resist. Why? Because his ego was hungry—starving, even—and the flattery fed it.

Herod was a powerful ruler, yet his ego needed constant stroking. His acceptance of such excessive praise was a sign of deep insecurity, a king desperate to feel important. But this flattery was poisoned. Instead of discerning their manipulation, Herod embraced their praise, reveling in the false glory.

He didn’t stop them.

He didn’t redirect the praise to God. 

That was his fatal mistake.

Herod’s final mistake? Believing his own hype instead of giving credit where it’s due.

The Danger of Ego and Blindness to Truth

This is where the story takes a sharp turn. Herod did not stop the crowd. He did not correct them or redirect their praise to God, the one who truly deserved it. Instead, he basked in their words. He accepted the false glory. And by doing so, Herod committed a grave sin:

• He accepted worship that belonged to God alone.

• He failed to discern that the people were using him for their gain.

Herod’s inability to see the truth exposes his deep insecurity. Only someone insecure needs their ego stroked so excessively, and Herod’s pride blinded him. He was so consumed with his desire to feel important that he couldn’t see the manipulation for what it was.

Flattery, when unchecked, is a dangerous weapon. It feeds pride, it distorts reality, and it blinds its recipient to the truth. Herod’s pride became a trap, and it cost him dearly.

God’s Glory Cannot Be Stolen

Scripture is clear: God does not share His glory with anyone.

Isaiah 42:8, God says, “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.” Yet Herod did exactly that—he stole glory that belonged to God alone.

By accepting worship, Herod committed a grave sin: idolatry and pride. Instead of humbling himself and giving credit to the true God, he acted as though he was divine. This was not a mistake God would overlook.

Acts 12:23 says, “Immediately, an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.” Herod’s death was swift and public—a sign of divine judgment. The “worms” here are not just symbolic of decay; scholars believe this refers to a parasitic infection {ego, pride}, such as intestinal worms, which caused a slow and agonizing death. For a man so consumed with outward appearances, this judgment exposed his frailty and mortality.

When your pride feeds on flattery,

the consequences can eat you alive.

This story serves as a powerful warning about the dangers of pride, false praise, and accepting glory that belongs to God alone. Herod's downfall reveals key truths:

Flattery is dangerous. Desperate people will manipulate and deceive to get what they want, and Herod fell for the lies because they fed his ego. We must be discerning about the praise we receive and guard our hearts against manipulation.

Pride blinds us. Only an insecure person seeks constant validation and glory. Herod’s unchecked pride led to his immediate judgment. Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

It should also be a red flag when we see a Christian leader—whether a pastor, teacher, or any other office in Christendom—being glorified and accepting it, basking in the praise. Is this God or the enemy at work? Often, it begins with God, but at some point, the enemy can take over if a foothold of pride or self-glory is allowed to enter. We should rethink the mega-church or any church model if the leaders aren't consistently redirecting the glory and honor to God. This is an easy sin to fall into, and that’s why God shares this story with us.

God will not share His glory. Whether it’s leaders, celebrities, or anyone in the spotlight, no one has the right to take God’s worship. Romans 1:25 warns against exchanging the truth of God for a lie and worshiping created things. Herod’s failure to correct the people and redirect glory cost him his life.

God alone is sovereign. No matter how powerful someone appears, their strength is nothing compared to God’s authority. Herod wielded great influence, but he was struck down in an instant.

Job 34:24 says, “He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.”

We live in a time where flattery and pride can be found everywhere—on social media, in politics, in leadership roles, even in churches. People may offer praise that isn’t sincere, hoping to manipulate us or secure something for themselves. Like Herod, we put ourselves in danger when we accept this flattery and fail to redirect the glory to God.

This story is a sobering reminder: God alone deserves honor, praise, and worship. When we start to believe our own hype, we walk a dangerous path. Instead, we must remain humble and give credit where it is due—back to the Creator of all things.

Herod’s tragic end shows us that no one—no king, leader, or celebrity—can stand in God’s place. God’s sovereignty over kings and kingdoms is absolute, and His glory cannot be mocked. Let us learn from Herod’s mistake and always remember:

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31).

Heavenly Father,

In Jesus' name, I come before You with a heart of gratitude. I thank You for Your Word, which corrects and guides me in truth. If I have been at fault in accepting flattery, or if I am being manipulated, I ask You to reveal the true hearts of those who seek my approval. Show me their intentions and align me with Your strategy for handling these situations.

If I have sinned by accepting praise I have not earned, I ask You to make it clear to me so I can correct my actions and avoid Your judgment. In my humanity, I seek Your grace and mercy, both for myself and my loved ones, if we have allowed worldly behaviors to influence us. I pray that You would give us a spiritual mirror to see our sins, so we may repent and change our course.

Your Word is always a source of protection, and I am so honored to learn from it. Thank You for Your patience, wisdom, and love. In Jesus' name, Amen.