What does "peace when there is no peace" reveal about false prophets? Setting the Scene Jeremiah 6:14 — “They have healed the wound of My people only superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.” Ezekiel 13:10 — “…they lead My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace…” What “Peace When There Is No Peace” Reveals about False Prophets • They invent a message that contradicts God’s revealed warning of judgment. • They soothe rather than heal, offering temporary relief instead of genuine repentance. • They place personal popularity and acceptance above God’s truth. • They peddle optimism divorced from holiness, promising blessings while ignoring sin. • They misdiagnose the real crisis—treating rebellion as a minor scrape rather than a mortal wound. • They stand in direct opposition to true prophets who call for repentance (Jeremiah 23:16-17). Key Characteristics of False Prophets • Superficial ministry: “healed the wound…only superficially.” • Flattering speech: “Peace, peace,” repeated for emphasis. • Lack of divine commission: God declares, “I did not send them” (Jeremiah 23:21). • Self-serving motives: “You have encouraged the wicked” (Ezekiel 13:22). • Prophetic plagiarism: they borrow words from each other, not from God (Jeremiah 23:30). • Empty visions: “visions of their own minds” (Jeremiah 23:16). God’s Verdict on Such Messages • Condemnation: Deuteronomy 18:20 warns that the prophet who speaks presumptuously “must die.” • Exposure: Matthew 7:15—“Beware of false prophets…inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” • Sudden destruction: 1 Thessalonians 5:3—“While people are saying, ‘Peace and security,’ destruction will come.” Why These False Promises Are So Dangerous • They dull the conscience, delaying repentance. • They distort God’s character, portraying Him as indulgent toward sin. • They lead entire communities into shared judgment. • They undermine true prophetic voices, causing confusion (Ezekiel 13:17-19). Implications for Believers Today • Test every message against Scripture (Acts 17:11). • Look for calls to repentance, not merely reassurance (Luke 13:3). • Examine fruit: sound doctrine produces holiness (Matthew 7:16). • Cling to the full counsel of God—both warning and comfort (Romans 11:22). |
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