How can we discern false messages from true ones, as advised in Jeremiah 23:37? The Heart of the Issue: Jeremiah 23:37 “Thus you are to say to the prophet: ‘What has the LORD answered you?’ and ‘What has the LORD spoken?’” Why Discernment Matters - God never contradicts Himself; His revealed Word is fixed (Psalm 119:89). - False messages blur the line between God’s voice and human opinion, leading to bondage instead of freedom (John 8:32). - Jeremiah’s day mirrors ours: voices abound, each claiming divine authority. We need clear, biblical filters. Key Marks of a True Message - Consistent with the whole counsel of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). - Exalts the Lord Jesus Christ, not the messenger (John 16:14). - Produces righteousness, repentance, and fruit that endures (Matthew 7:17-20). - Confirmed by fulfilled truth; what God speaks happens (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). - Carried by humility and reverence for God (Isaiah 66:2). Warning Signs of a False Message - Adds to or subtracts from Scripture (Revelation 22:18-19). - Centers on personal gain, power, or popularity (Jeremiah 23:25-27; 2 Peter 2:1-3). - Downplays sin or substitutes human optimism for God’s call to repentance (Jeremiah 6:14). - Relies on secret revelations not testable by Scripture (Colossians 2:18-19). - Contradicts the gospel of grace through Christ alone (Galatians 1:8-9). Practical Steps for Everyday Discernment 1. Ask the Jeremiah 23:37 questions: • “What has the LORD answered you?” • “What has the LORD spoken?” Press for chapter-and-verse backing, not vague impressions. 2. Compare every claim with plain Scripture. If it clashes, reject it (Acts 17:11). 3. Evaluate the messenger’s life. Consistent godliness lends weight; chronic compromise discredits (1 Timothy 4:16). 4. Seek the Spirit’s witness. The Holy Spirit, who authored the Word, will never affirm error (John 16:13). 5. Invite mature believers to weigh in. “In the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). 6. Give truth time. Many false prophecies collapse under the test of fulfilled reality (Jeremiah 28:15-17). Anchoring Ourselves in the Word - Daily Bible intake trains our spiritual senses (Hebrews 5:14). - Memorizing key passages equips us to spot distortions quickly (Psalm 119:11). - Regular, systematic study guards against cherry-picking verses to suit personal agendas. Encouragement for the Journey God does not leave His people confused. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). Stay close to the Shepherd, stay rooted in His written Word, and you will discern the true from the counterfeit with growing clarity. |
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