How can we discern false teachings today, as seen in Jeremiah 29:25? A snapshot from Jeremiah 29:25 “This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have sent letters in your own name to all the people in Jerusalem—to Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests—saying:’ Shemaiah’s self-commissioned letters tried to silence Jeremiah’s God-given message. From that single verse we learn volumes about spotting false voices. What Jeremiah 29:25 exposes about counterfeit teachers • They act “in [their] own name.” Authority is self-assigned, not God-given. • They target influencers (“Zephaniah … the priest”) to spread their agenda. • They circulate attractive correspondence—well-crafted words that sound pious. • Their real aim is to suppress the true word of the LORD (vv. 26-28 show Shemaiah demanding Jeremiah be muzzled). Timeless marks of false teaching • Self-promotion over Scripture (Jeremiah 29:25; 3 John 9-10). • Message contradicts or edits God’s revealed word (Deuteronomy 4:2; Galatians 1:8). • Promises comfort while avoiding repentance (Jeremiah 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:3-4). • Produces bad fruit—division, sensuality, greed (Matthew 7:15-20; 2 Peter 2:1-3). • Fails the test of fulfilled prediction or consistent doctrine (Deuteronomy 18:22; Titus 1:9). Discernment checklist for today 1. Source: Is the teacher sent by God or “in his own name”? (John 7:18). 2. Content: Does the teaching align with the full counsel of Scripture? (Acts 20:27). 3. Character: Do life and doctrine match? (1 Timothy 4:16). 4. Consequence: Does it lead to godliness or to self-indulgence? (Jude 4). 5. Confirmation: Has the wider body of faithful believers historically affirmed this truth? (2 Peter 1:19-21). Anchoring our discernment in the unchanging Word • “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction…” (2 Timothy 3:16). • “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits…” (1 John 4:1). • “The Bereans… examined the Scriptures daily to see if these teachings were true.” (Acts 17:11). Practical habits that safeguard the church • Daily Bible intake—reading, memorizing, and meditating keeps God’s voice familiar. • Regular fellowship—sound believers provide mutual correction and encouragement. • Historical awareness—knowing creeds and confessions reveals recycled errors. • Humble dependence on the Spirit—He guides into all truth (John 16:13). • Swift obedience—living out truth sharpens recognition of its counterfeits. Living it out Cling to the Word, stay alert to any message birthed “in its own name,” and let the unchanging voice of Scripture be the final referee in everything you hear today. |
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