What steps can believers take to avoid the fate described in Jeremiah 9:15? Jeremiah 9:15 – The Sobering Warning “Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will feed this people wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink.’ ” (Jeremiah 9:15) Root Causes Exposed in Jeremiah 9 • Deceitful tongues and unrestrained lying (vv. 3–5) • Idolatrous hearts that “turn away” from the LORD (v. 13) • Stubborn refusal to “walk in My law” (v. 13) • Prideful wisdom that boasts apart from God (v. 23) Steps to Steer Clear of Wormwood and Poison Water • Turn in humble repentance – “Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away” (Acts 3:19). – “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways…” (2 Chronicles 7:14). • Embrace wholehearted truthfulness – “Put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). – Lies invite the bitterness of wormwood; truth invites the sweetness of fellowship. • Guard the heart against bitterness and idolatry – “Make sure there is no…root among you bearing poison and wormwood” (Deuteronomy 29:18). – “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). – “See to it…that no root of bitterness springs up” (Hebrews 12:15). • Bridle the tongue – “If anyone…does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless” (James 1:26). – Words seasoned with grace prevent hearts poisoned with judgment. • Seek the LORD with undivided devotion – “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). – Daily Scripture intake, worship, and obedience keep spiritual thirst quenched. • Live justly, love mercy, walk humbly – “To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). – Justice and mercy uproot the seeds of societal decay that invite divine discipline. • Practice Christ-like love toward others – “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar” (1 John 4:20). – Love purifies the community; hatred poisons it. • Trust and fear the LORD, not self – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart…Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:5-7). – God-centered confidence displaces self-reliance, the root of Judah’s downfall. Cultivating a Life Overflowing with Living Water “ ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me…streams of living water will flow from within him.’ ” (John 7:37-38) • Keep coming to Jesus—the true antidote to wormwood. • Let His Spirit create streams, not stagnant pools, of holiness. • Consistent obedience transforms bitter experiences into testimonies of grace, ensuring believers avoid the judgment pictured in Jeremiah 9:15. |
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