How can we discern true prophecy from false according to Ezekiel 13:16? Setting the Scene Ezekiel 13:16 identifies “the prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her when there was no peace.” The Lord exposes their messages as false because they contradicted His own word of imminent judgment. Key Indicators of False Prophecy in Ezekiel 13:16 • Contradicts God’s revealed word: God had announced judgment, yet they promised “peace.” • Appeals to wishful thinking: They told the people what they wanted to hear, not what they needed to hear. • Offers visions without substance: “Saw visions of peace” implies self-generated revelation rather than God-given insight (cf. Jeremiah 23:16-17). Marks of a True Word from God • Consistency with prior Scripture – “No prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20-21). • Calls people to repentance, not complacency – See Ezekiel 13:22; also Isaiah 30:9-11; Jeremiah 25:4-7. • Proven in fulfillment – Deuteronomy 18:21-22: a prophecy that fails to happen was not spoken by the Lord. • Exalts God, not the messenger – Revelation 19:10: “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Practical Discernment Checklist 1. Test the message with Scripture (Acts 17:11). 2. Examine the character and fruit of the messenger (Matthew 7:15-20). 3. Look for a call to holiness and obedience (1 Peter 1:15-16). 4. Wait for verification in reality; God’s word never fails (Isaiah 55:10-11). 5. Rely on the Spirit’s guidance—“test the spirits” (1 John 4:1-3). Living It Out Ezekiel 13:16 reminds us that soothing words can be spiritually deadly if they contradict God’s truth. Hold every prophetic claim up to Scripture, stay anchored in the whole counsel of God, and measure peace-promising voices by whether the Lord Himself has spoken that peace. |
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