Which New Testament passages echo the warning found in Jeremiah 23:30? Framing the Old Testament Warning • Jeremiah 23:30: “Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,” declares the LORD, “who steal My words from each another.” God opposes anyone who misappropriates His revelation—an issue the New Testament repeatedly revisits. Echoes in the Gospels • Matthew 7:15-16, 21-23 “Beware of false prophets… By their fruit you will recognize them… Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” “See that no one deceives you… Many false prophets will arise and deceive many… so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” “False christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive… Be on your guard.” “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.” Echoes in Acts “After my departure savage wolves will come in among you… Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth.” Paul calls Elymas a “son of the devil” for perverting the straight paths of the Lord. Echoes in Paul’s Letters “We are not like so many who peddle the word of God for profit.” “Such men are false apostles… Satan masquerades as an angel of light.” “If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!” “Some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” “They will accumulate teachers for themselves to suit their own desires.” “There are many rebellious people… They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching for dishonest gain.” Echoes in the General Epistles “There will be false teachers among you… Many will follow their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed.” “Test the spirits, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” • Jude 3-4, 16-19 False teachers “pervert the grace of our God into sensuality” and “cause divisions.” Echoes in Revelation Jesus rebukes Pergamum and Thyatira for tolerating teachers who lead believers into idolatry and immorality. The earth-beast performs “great signs” to deceive the inhabitants of the earth. A solemn warning not to add to or take away from “the words of the prophecy of this book.” Key Takeaways • The New Testament consistently reaffirms God’s stand against anyone who tampers with, exploits, or counterfeits His word. • Jesus, the apostles, and the early church all recognized that false teachers remain an ever-present threat. • Vigilance, discernment, and adherence to the authentic gospel preserve believers from those who would “steal” God’s words today. |
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