I suspect that we may all have either yielded to flattery or employed this, often, manipulative psychological tool for selfish ends. As one would expect, Jesus, neither yields to, nor resorts to, flattery in his dealings with others. The Pharisees and Herodians are certainly accurate when they say we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. Yet, their deviousness enables them to speak the truth while not actually believing what they are saying. They don’t really want a solution to the census tax question, and are only hoping to trip him up in his words. It is precisely because Jesus is not susceptible to flattery that he is able to provide the response that amazes them and thwarts their malicious intentions. The only effective way to similarly resist flattery (or even seek compliments and praise) is to grow in that humility that unites us with who we truly are in Christ. Enfolded in the love and mercy of a loving heavenly Father we are, as his adopted children, freed from our dependence upon the positive opinions and approval of others. Yet another motivator for cultivating ever-deeper humility in imitation of the humble Christ.