How can we discern true prophecy from false, according to Ezekiel 22:28? Context of Ezekiel 22:28 • Jerusalem is under God’s scrutiny for pervasive sin. • Civil leaders, priests, princes, and people are corrupt, and “her prophets” are complicit. • Ezekiel 22:28: “Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.” • The verse exposes prophets who soothe guilty consciences instead of confronting sin. Marks of False Prophets in the Passage • Whitewashing evil – they gloss over sin instead of calling for repentance. • False visions – their claimed revelations do not originate with God. • Lying divinations – they fabricate supernatural insight. • Presumptuous speech – they attach God’s name to their own words. Tests for Discernment Drawn from Ezekiel 22:28 1. Examine the moral edge. – True prophecy never excuses or covers sin; it calls it out (Isaiah 5:20). 2. Verify the source. – Ask whether the message is anchored in previously revealed Scripture. God is consistent (Malachi 3:6). 3. Look for repentance, not reassurance. – Authentic prophetic words urge turning back to God, not staying comfortable in rebellion. 4. Test factual accuracy over time. – A message claiming divine origin must prove true (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). 5. Assess alignment with God’s character. – God is holy; words that trivialize holiness or justice betray a false origin (Leviticus 19:2). Confirming Witnesses from the Rest of Scripture • Deuteronomy 18:20-22 – a prophecy that fails to occur reveals a false prophet. • Jeremiah 23:16-17 – false prophets speak visions “from their own minds” and strengthen evildoers. • Matthew 7:15-20 – “You will recognize them by their fruit.” • 1 John 4:1 – “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” • Acts 17:11 – the Bereans checked every word against Scripture. Practical Steps for Today • Stay saturated in Scripture; familiarity with truth exposes counterfeit. • Evaluate content before emotion: does the word confront sin and exalt Christ (John 16:8, Revelation 19:10)? • Seek corroboration from mature believers and church leadership (Proverbs 11:14). • Wait for confirmation; God is not threatened by honest testing (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21). • Observe the messenger’s life: humility, holiness, and fidelity to God’s Word accompany genuine prophetic ministry (Titus 1:7-9). |
    |