How can we apply Jeremiah 23:37 to ensure our words align with God's truth? “Thus you are to say to the prophet: ‘What has the LORD answered you?’ and ‘What has the LORD spoken?’” Setting the Scene Jeremiah rebukes prophets who claimed, “This is the burden of the LORD,” while actually speaking their own imaginations. God instructs His people to stop repeating unverified “burdens” and instead ask for His true answer. The verse highlights two essentials: • The message must come from the LORD. • The messenger must humbly verify that fact before speaking. Core Principles for Our Words • Reverence for Revelation – Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16); our speech must never contradict it. • Verification before Declaration – “What has the LORD answered?” replaces “I feel” or “I think.” • Humility in Delivery – We serve as stewards, not originators, of truth (1 Peter 4:11). • Accountability for Accuracy – False claims of divine authority invite God’s judgment (Jeremiah 23:39-40). Practical Steps for Everyday Speech 1. Immerse in Scripture daily so God’s actual words shape vocabulary and viewpoints (Psalm 119:11). 2. Run every opinion through the filter of “What has the LORD spoken?”—comparing with the clear teaching of the Bible before sharing it. 3. Replace empty clichés (“God told me…” when unsure) with transparent language: “According to God’s Word…” or “Scripture teaches…”. 4. Speak only what builds up (Ephesians 4:29), avoiding gossip, exaggeration, and speculation. 5. When uncertain, choose silence over presumption (Proverbs 10:19). 6. Invite trusted, Scripture-saturated believers to weigh important statements for biblical fidelity (Proverbs 15:22). 7. Confess and correct misstatements quickly, demonstrating submission to God’s authority (James 5:16). Guardrails to Keep Us Faithful • James 3:1-12 – Recognize the tongue’s power; stricter judgment awaits teachers. • Matthew 12:36-37 – Idle words will be accounted for. • 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 – Do not despise prophecies; test everything; hold fast to what is good. • Acts 17:11 – The Bereans examined the Scriptures daily to see if teachings were true. Living It Out By continually asking, “What has the LORD answered? What has the LORD spoken?” we shift the spotlight from personal opinion to divine revelation. Saturated in Scripture, measured by humility, and guarded by accountability, our words will increasingly echo God’s truth, bringing clarity, edification, and honor to His name. |
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