How can we distinguish between true and false messages from God today? Setting the Stage: Jeremiah 23:28 “The prophet who has a dream may recount his dream, but let him who has My word speak it faithfully. For what is straw compared with grain? declares the LORD.” The Grain-vs-Straw Principle • Grain nourishes; straw fills space yet lacks substance. • True messages from God feed the soul with the solid grain of Scripture; false messages are spiritual straw—light, flashy, but empty. • Ask: Does what I’m hearing bring genuine nourishment rooted in God’s Word or mere emotional fluff? Measure Every Message by Scripture • Acts 17:11—The Bereans “examined the Scriptures daily” to verify Paul’s teaching. • Isaiah 8:20—“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.” • If any modern claim contradicts clear biblical teaching, label it straw and move on. Look for Christ-Exalting Focus • John 16:14—The Spirit “will glorify Me.” A genuine word from God centers on Christ’s person, work, and glory. • 1 Corinthians 12:3—The Spirit leads people to confess, “Jesus is Lord.” • Messages that spotlight human agendas, pride, or prosperity without submission to Christ quickly reveal their straw-like quality. Confirm Through Consistent Witness • 2 Corinthians 13:1—“Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” • True guidance aligns with: 1. The Bible. 2. The prompting of the Holy Spirit within a believer’s conscience. 3. Wise, godly counsel from mature believers. • When all three harmonize, grain comes into view. Discern by Fruits, Not Flash • Matthew 7:16—“By their fruit you will recognize them.” • True words produce: love, holiness, repentance, deeper trust in Christ. • False words eventually produce: confusion, division, moral compromise, or self-exaltation. Stay Anchored in Prayerful Dependence • James 1:5—Ask God for wisdom; He gives generously. • Walk daily in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), keeping your heart tuned to the Shepherd’s voice (John 10:27). • Constant communion with God sensitizes you to the difference between nourishing grain and weightless straw. Putting It All Together Grain messages: Scripture-aligned, Christ-exalting, Spirit-confirmed, fruit-bearing. Straw messages: extra-biblical, self-focused, unconfirmed, spiritually barren. Jeremiah 23:28 calls every believer to become a discerning harvester—rejecting straw, gathering grain, and speaking God’s Word faithfully in a world hungry for truth. |
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