What does Jeremiah 23:18 teach about discerning God's true message? Setting the context Jeremiah is confronting prophets who claim to speak for God yet invent their own messages (Jeremiah 23:16-17). Verse 18 is the searching question that exposes them and instructs us. Reading the verse “For who has stood in the council of the LORD to see and hear His word? Who has paid attention to His word and obeyed it?” (Jeremiah 23:18) Key observations from the verse • “stood in the council” – True messengers first draw near to God Himself, not simply to public platforms (cf. 1 Kings 22:19). • “to see and hear” – Revelation is both perceived (“see”) and understood (“hear”); it is not guessed or felt. • “paid attention” – Discernment demands deliberate, careful listening (Proverbs 4:20). • “and obeyed” – Authentic reception of God’s word produces submission, not mere information (James 1:22). What this teaches about true discernment 1. Proximity to God precedes proclamation. • Isaiah’s vision (Isaiah 6:1-8) shows the same pattern—seeing the Lord, hearing the call, then speaking. 2. Scripture is the fixed standard. • God’s “council” is revealed today through the written Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Any message that contradicts it is false. 3. Attention protects against deception. • Believers must test everything (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21). Hasty acceptance of impressive personalities invites error. 4. Obedience validates authenticity. • Jesus ties knowing the truth to practicing it (John 8:31-32). A life shaped by the Word confirms a message sourced in God. Practical steps for believers today • Immerse yourself daily in the whole counsel of God—read, meditate, memorize (Psalm 1:2). • Weigh every teaching against clear biblical statements. If Scripture is twisted or sidelined, reject the teaching. • Observe the fruit in the speaker’s life: humility, holiness, and obedience signal time spent in the Lord’s council (Matthew 7:15-20). • Invite the Spirit to search your own heart; discernment requires personal submission before it can evaluate others (Hebrews 4:12). |
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