What other Bible passages warn against speaking presumptuously in God's name? Setting the Scene with Deuteronomy 18:20 • “But the prophet who presumes to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.” • God treats unauthorized, self-invented words as spiritual treason. The rest of Scripture echoes that sobering standard again and again. Further Warnings in the Law • Deuteronomy 13:1-5 – Even if a sign comes true, “that prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he advised rebellion against the LORD your God.” • Leviticus 19:12 – “You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God.” • Numbers 15:30-31 – The “presumptuous” sinner who acts “with a high hand” is cut off, “because he has despised the word of the LORD.” Prophets Calling Out False Prophets • Jeremiah 23:25-32 – God is “against the prophets who wag their own tongues yet declare, ‘The LORD declares it.’” • Ezekiel 13:1-9 – “Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing… They say, ‘The LORD declares,’ when the LORD has not sent them.” • Ezekiel 22:28 – “Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by seeing false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.” • Zechariah 13:3 – Parents will rebuke a lying prophet: “You must die, because you have lied in the name of the LORD.” Wisdom Literature’s Caution • Psalm 19:13 – “Keep Your servant also from presumptuous sins; may they not rule over me.” • Proverbs 30:6 – “Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.” Jesus on Counterfeit Voices • Matthew 7:15 – “Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” • Matthew 7:21-23 – Many will claim, “Did we not prophesy in Your name?” but He will reply, “I never knew you.” • Matthew 24:24 – “False christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Apostolic Alerts • 2 Peter 2:1 – “There will be false teachers among you… bringing in destructive heresies.” • 1 John 4:1 – “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” • Jude 11-13 – False teachers are compared to “waterless clouds” and “wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.” Revelation’s Final Word • Revelation 22:18-19 – Anyone who adds to or takes away from God’s prophetic word will receive the plagues described in the book and lose any share in the tree of life. Putting It All Together The Bible forms a seamless chorus: claiming to speak for God without His mandate offends His holiness, misleads His people, and invites severe judgment. Genuine words from the Lord will always align with previously revealed Scripture, exalt Christ rather than self, and produce the fruit of truth and righteousness. |
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