How can we discern true prophecy from false, as warned in Jeremiah 5:13? Jeremiah’s Warning “ ‘The prophets are but wind, for the word is not in them. Thus shall it be done to them!’ ” (Jeremiah 5:13) The Lord rebukes voices that claim divine authority while lacking His word. He calls them “wind”—all noise, no substance. The charge forces us to ask: How do we recognize when a message truly comes from God? Hallmarks of False Prophecy • Speaks from self-originated imagination rather than God’s revelation (Jeremiah 23:16) • Contradicts or dilutes prior Scripture (Galatians 1:8) • Flatters the hearers, promising peace while ignoring sin (Jeremiah 6:14) • Pursues personal gain—fame, power, money (Micah 3:11; 2 Peter 2:3) • Fails to come to pass or mixes truth with error (Deuteronomy 18:22) Biblical Tests for True Prophecy 1. Doctrinal Fidelity – “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). – All prophecy must align with the full counsel of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 2. Fulfillment in Reality – “When the word that a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD does not come to pass…that is the word the LORD has not spoken” (Deuteronomy 18:22). – God’s predictions never fail; falsehood is exposed by unmet outcomes. 3. Christ-Centered Focus – “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). – Genuine prophetic words exalt Christ’s person, work, and kingdom. 4. Moral Fruit – “You will recognize them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:16). – Prophets and their followers should display holiness, humility, and love (Galatians 5:22-23). 5. Witness of the Spirit – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). – The indwelling Holy Spirit grants inner confirmation or caution (Romans 8:16). Practical Steps for Discernment • Stay saturated in Scripture; know the genuine so well that the counterfeit is obvious (Psalm 119:105). • Pray for wisdom and discernment (James 1:5). • Evaluate timing—prophecies urging immediate, unaccountable action often mask deception. • Consult mature believers and church elders (Proverbs 11:14). • Observe the prophet’s life over time; consistency with godly character matters more than a single dazzling utterance. • Hold every message loosely until confirmed; “Examine all things, hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Living by the Sure Word God’s written Word is an unchanging plumb line against which every voice must be measured. By anchoring ourselves in Scripture, relying on the Spirit, and watching for biblical fruit, we can heed Jeremiah’s warning and walk securely in truth. |
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