What characteristics define the false prophets mentioned in Jeremiah 23:17? Text of Jeremiah 23:17 “They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD has said, “You will have peace.”’ And to all who walk in the stubbornness of their hearts they say, ‘No calamity will come upon you.’ ” Snapshot of the Scene • God’s people are in active rebellion. • Prophets claim divine authority but invent their own messages. Identifying Marks of These False Prophets • Persistent Comfort to the Rebellious – They “keep saying” reassuring words, refusing to confront sin (cf. Ezekiel 13:10). • Audience: Despisers of the LORD – They direct promises to those who openly reject God, legitimizing unbelief. • Empty Promise of Peace – They announce “You will have peace” while judgment is imminent (Jeremiah 6:14). • Denial of Coming Calamity – “No calamity will come upon you” flatly contradicts God’s declared verdict (Jeremiah 4:18). • Flattery of Stubborn Hearts – They accommodate “the stubbornness of their hearts,” confirming sinners instead of calling for repentance (Isaiah 30:10). • Self-Originated Vision – Their words flow from their own imaginations, not from the mouth of the LORD (Jeremiah 23:16). Heart Motives Exposed • Desire for Popular Approval—saying what people long to hear (2 Timothy 4:3). • Rejection of God’s Authority—substituting human optimism for divine warning. • Suppression of Truth—sidestepping the hard message of repentance to maintain influence. Scripture’s Consistent Warning • “Peace, peace, when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). • “When they say, ‘Peace and safety,’ then sudden destruction comes” (1 Thessalonians 5:3). • “Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit” (Ezekiel 13:3). Takeaway for Discernment Today • Messages promising blessing apart from repentance betray the same false-prophet spirit. • Claims of peace that ignore clear biblical warnings must be measured against the unchanging Word. |
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