WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO?

JEREMIAH 23:25-29: ‘“I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy falsely in My name, saying, ‘I had a dream, I had a dream!’ How long? Is there anything in the hearts of the prophets who prophesy falsehood, these prophets of the deceitfulness of their own heart, who intend to make My people forget My name by their dreams which they report to one another, just as their fathers forgot My name because of Baal? The prophet who has a dream may report his dream, but let him who has My word speak My word truthfully. What does straw have in common with grain?” declares the Lord. “Is My word not like fire?” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?” NASB

OBSERVATIONS: Covid-19 brought many changes to the church. One of those changes was the advent of most churches streaming their services and an explosion of podcasts and internet influencers who broke onto the scene. Today people sit on the comfort of their living room couch and surf the internet providers and channels to listen to what pleases them. And, the truth of the matter is…

IT IS NOT ALL GOOD!

I have met more and more believers who are not quoting the Word of God but who are quoting what someone has said. Usually, this person is a high-profile preacher or self-proclaimed prophet. There are those who will not even make a move in life unless they hear from their prophets.

When you read the book of Jeremiah you are struck with the reality that life never changes – and neither does the heart of man. Man left to himself, will rather seek someone who is telling them a lie (one that they want to hear), rather than the truth. This was the case in Jerusalem. The priests and prophets were proclaiming – “Peace! Peace!” – while Jeremiah was one of the lone voices telling the truth –

GOD’S JUDGMENT IS COMING!

To proclaim a falsehood is a sin and bad in its own right. It keeps people feeling secure in their sins and does not bring them to a place of conviction and the need for repentance. Yet, there is something more evil behind all of this. It comes from the pit of hell, from the very playbook and heart of the enemy of our souls. Jeremiah writes about God’s response to these false prophets.

• “How long? Is there anything in the hearts of the prophets who prophesy falsehood, these prophets of the deceitfulness of their own heart, who intend to make My people forget My name by their dreams which they report to one another, just as their fathers forgot My name because of Baal?” Jeremiah 23:26-27

It was bad enough that they would not stop proclaiming falsehoods. The core of their sin was that they were setting themselves up as God to the people. The people were looking to what the prophet and priest said rather than looking to God and His Word. In the name of Jehovah, they were leading the children of Israel into Baal worship. And, the most insidious part of this was…

THEY WERE BAAL!

I am a Spirit-filled believer who believes in and practices the current-day administration of the gifts of the Holy Spirit – AS THE SPIRIT WILLS! I believe in prophecy, words of knowledge and wisdom, healings, miracles, tongues, and interpretations.

YET – ALL OF THESE THINGS MUST BE PLACED IN SUBMISSION TO THE WORD OF GOD!

When we begin to seek gifts, signs, and manifestations more than Jesus through the Word of God we open ourselves to deception and the same trap those in Jeremiah’s day had fallen into. We begin to follow personalities, opinions, podcasts, and those who claim to have the latest, greatest, and freshest revelation from God. When we place these people above Jesus and God’s Word, guess what?

WE HAVE JUST BECOME BAAL WORSHIPPERS!

So what is the answer? Martin Luther put it this way – “SOLA SCRIPTURA!” This means God’s Word alone! I want to experience all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit working in and through my life of ministry – but only if it lifts up Jesus, draws people to repentance, and creates a hunger for the Word of God. I never want people to see me – I want them to see JESUS! So God proclaims through Jeremiah,

• “Is My word not like fire?” declares the Lord , “and like a hammer which shatters a rock? The prophet who has a dream may report his dream, but let him who has My word speak My word truthfully. What does straw have in common with grain?” declares the Lord .” Jeremiah 23:28-29

But let him who has My Word – speak my Word truthfully! This needs to be our cry, our prayer, and our commitment. This is what I pray for each day. I want the Lord to show me new things in His Word. Yet, not new things that I make up, tickle other’s ears, or lead them in a false path. The new things that I want to see are a deeper understanding of God’s nature and His love.

And, so with Paul, I pray,

• “For this reason I bend my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21

In Jesus’ Name!