How can we discern true teachings from false ones, as warned in Jeremiah 23? The Sobering Picture in Jeremiah 23:12 “Therefore their way will be like slippery paths in the darkness; they will be driven off and fall therein. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:12) • The image is stark: slick ground, pitch-black surroundings, inevitable collapse. • God ties this judgment directly to leaders who have twisted His word (23:9-40). • The verse reminds us that wrong teaching does more than misinform—it destroys. Hallmarks of False Teaching The chapter exposes patterns that still surface today. • Distorts God’s character (v. 14) – treating evil as trivial. • Speaks from imagination, not revelation (v. 16). • Promises peace while ignoring sin (v. 17). • Borrows clichés of God’s mouth but lacks God’s counsel (v. 18, 22). • Gains popularity through smooth words (v. 25-27, 32). Linked passages: – Deuteronomy 13:1-5 – even signs and wonders cannot validate a message that leads away from obedience. – 2 Peter 2:1-3 – secret heresies, greed, and exploitation accompany falsehood. Anchoring Ourselves in Truth • Scripture is the fixed standard. “All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching…” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Christ is the center. “I am the way and the truth…” (John 14:6). Any teaching that shifts focus off Him raises red flags. • The Spirit confirms truth. “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Practical Steps for Everyday Discernment 1. Compare every message with the written Word. 2. Notice the fruit of the messenger’s life (Matthew 7:15-20). 3. Check the gospel core—does it uphold salvation by grace through faith alone? (Galatians 1:8-9). 4. Stay accountable inside a biblically faithful church (Hebrews 13:7, 17). 5. Cultivate daily familiarity with Scripture so counterfeit ideas stand out (Psalm 1:2-3). Encouraging Examples of Discernment in Scripture • Bereans eagerly received the word yet “examined the Scriptures daily to see if these teachings were true” (Acts 17:11). • The Ephesian church “tested those who call themselves apostles and are not” (Revelation 2:2). Living in the Light, Not on Slippery Paths Walking in God’s revealed truth replaces darkness with clarity. By measuring every teaching against the sure foundation of Scripture, relying on the indwelling Spirit, and observing the long-term fruit, we avoid the treacherous route of Jeremiah 23:12 and remain steady on the solid ground God provides. |
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