How can we ensure our teachings align with God's truth in Jeremiah 23:36? Jeremiah 23:36 – The Heart of the Warning “But no longer refer to the burden of the LORD, for each one’s word becomes his own burden. So you pervert the words of the living God, the LORD of Hosts, our God.” (Jeremiah 23:36) Recognizing the Temptation to Add Our Own Weight • In Jeremiah’s day, people attached the label “burden of the LORD” to their own ideas, masking human opinion as divine truth. • God exposed the deception: when we do this, our words become a crushing load, distorting His living Word. • The warning stands today—any teaching that drifts from Scripture warps hearts instead of freeing them. Guardrails for Teachers and Leaders • Let Scripture interpret Scripture – Compare every teaching with the whole counsel of God (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5-6). • Handle the Word with precision – “Be diligent…accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). • Submit personal opinions to God’s revelation – If something cannot be rooted in clear passages, it must never be preached as doctrine (1 Peter 4:11). • Remain accountable to the body of Christ – Invite mature believers to weigh teaching, following the Berean pattern (Acts 17:11). • Remember the stricter judgment for teachers – James 3:1 keeps pride in check and motivates careful study. Practical Steps for Everyday Believers • Daily immersion in the Bible keeps hearts familiar with God’s actual voice (Psalm 1:2). • Memorize key passages about the sufficiency of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Test all sermons, books, blogs, and podcasts against the text itself. • Look for the fruit: teachings aligned with truth will exalt Christ, cultivate holiness, and produce love (Galatians 5:22-23). • Reject additions or subtractions, remembering the final Bible warning (Revelation 22:18-19). Encouragement from Other Scriptures • “Every word of God is flawless…Do not add to His words” (Proverbs 30:5-6). • “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). • “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). Living and Teaching in Truth Holding tight to Jeremiah 23:36 guards hearts and pulpits alike. Cling to the pure Word, refuse to label personal ideas as divine, and the church will stand firmly on the unshakable foundation God has already laid. |
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