How can we discern true prophecy to avoid Pashhur's fate in Jeremiah 20:6? The Tragic Example of Pashhur (Jeremiah 20:6) “‘As for you, Pashhur, and all who dwell in your house, you will go into captivity. You will go to Babylon, and there you will die; there you will be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have prophesied falsely.’” • Pashhur’s confident, crowd-pleasing words contradicted Jeremiah’s Spirit-given warning. • His punishment—captivity, death, and disgrace—shows how seriously God judges false prophecy. Why Discernment Matters • False words mislead God’s people (Jeremiah 23:13–17). • They dishonor the Lord’s Name (Ezekiel 13:6–9). • They bring judgment on speaker and hearers alike (Matthew 15:14). Tests for True Prophecy 1. Agreement with Written Scripture • “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.” (Isaiah 8:20) • Any revelation that contradicts Scripture is automatically false. 2. Loyalty to the One True God • Deuteronomy 13:1-3: even accurate signs are rejected if they lure us to another god. • True prophecy exalts the Lord alone (Revelation 19:10). 3. 100 Percent Accuracy When Predicting the Future • “If the word does not come to pass…that is the word the LORD has not spoken.” (Deuteronomy 18:22) • God never gets it partly right. 4. Righteous Fruit in the Messenger’s Life • “You will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16-20) • Persistent sin and greed expose counterfeit voices (2 Peter 2:1-3). 5. Confirmation by the Holy Spirit and the Body • “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.” (1 Corinthians 14:29) • Berean-like checking safeguards the flock (Acts 17:11). Practical Steps for Believers Today • Saturate your mind with Scripture daily; you cannot spot counterfeits without knowing the genuine. • Pray for wisdom (James 1:5) and the Spirit’s discernment (1 John 2:27). • Measure every dream, impression, or sermon by the five tests above. • Refuse to chase sensational predictions; cherish the “more sure word” already given (2 Peter 1:19). • Hold teachers accountable with humility and courage—Jeremiah stood alone, yet he stood firm. Encouragement to Remain Faithful • God honors those who revere His word: “To this one will I look…who trembles at My word.” (Isaiah 66:2) • Standing for truth may bring ridicule, but it spares us Pashhur’s fate and secures the Lord’s commendation (2 Timothy 4:7-8). |
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