WEDNESDAY, 1 MAY 2024
TEXT:
Jeremiah 23:9-32
9.
My heart is broken because of the false prophets, and my bones tremble. I
stagger like a drunkard, like someone overcome by wine, because of the holy
words the LORD has spoken against them.
10.
For the land is full of adultery, and it lies under a curse. The land itself is
in mourning-its wilderness pastures are dried up. Fir they all do evil and
abuse what power they have.
11.
“Even the priests and prophets are ungodly, wicked men. I have seen their
despicable acts right are here in my own Temple,” says the LORD.
12.
“Therefore, the paths they take will become slippery. They will be chased
through the dark, and there they will fall. For I will bring disaster upon them
at the time fixed for their punishment. I, the LORD, have spoken!
13.
“I saw that the prophets of Samaria were terribly evil, for they prophesied in
the name of Baal and led my people of Israel into sin.
14.
But now I see that the prophets of Jerusalem are even worse! They commit
adultery and love dishonesty. They encourage those who are doing evil so that
no one turns away from their sins. These prophets are as wicked as the people
of Sodom and Gomorrah once were.”
15.
Therefore, this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says concerning the
prophets: “I will feed them with bitterness and give them poison to drink. For
it is because of Jerusalem’s prophets that wickedness has filled this land.”
16.
This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says to his people: “Do not listen to
these prophets when they prophesy to you, filling you with futile hopes. They
are making up everything they say. They do not speak for the LORD!
17.
They keep saying to those who despise my word, ‘Don’t worry! The LORD says you
will have peace!’ And to those who stubbornly follow their own desires, they
say, ‘No harm will come your way!’
18.
“Have any of these prophets been in the LORD’S presence to hear what he is
really saying? Has even one of them cares enough to listen?
19.
Look! The LORD’S anger bursts out like a storm, a whirlwind that swirls down on
the heads of the wicked.
20.
The anger of the LORD will not diminish until it has finished all he has
planned. In the days to come you will understand all this very clearly.
21.
“I have not sent these prophets, yet they run around claiming to speak for me.
I have given them no message, yet they go on prophesying.
22.
If they had stood before me and listen to me, they would have spoken my words,
and they would have turned my people from their evils ways and deeds.
23.
Am I a God who is only close at hand?” says the LORD. “No, I am far away at the
same time.
24.
Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the
heavens and earth?” says the LORD.
25.
“I have heard these prophets say, ‘Listen to the dream I had from God last
night.’ And then they proceed to tell lies in my name.
26.
How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit,
inventing everything they say.
27.
By telling these false dreams, they are trying to get my people to forget me,
just as their ancestors did by worshiping the idols of Baal.
28.
“Let these false prophets tell their dreams, but let my true messengers
faithfully proclaim my every word. There is a difference between straw and
grain!
29.
Does not my words burn like fire?” says the LORD. “Is it not like a mighty
hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?
30.
“Therefore,” says the LORD, “I am against these prophets who steal message from
each other and claim they are from me.
31.
I am against these smooth-tongued prophets who says, ‘This prophecy is from the
LORD!’
32.
I am against these false prophets. Their imaginary dreams are fragrant lies
that lied my people into sin. I did not send or appoint them, and they have no
message at all for my people. I, the LORD, have spoken!
(New Living Translation Holy Bible)
TOPIC:
GOD IS AGAINST LYING PROPHETS
Human
beings would always want to know what the future holds, especially in these
trying times.
The
socio-economic and political landscapes are full of uncertainties. And because
the Church and Christians are facing tougher challenges across the continent,
most believers continue to drift farther from the Lord.
This
has created a fertile ground for false and self-imposed prophets, carriers of
so-called peace when God has never spoken!
Judah
was faced with that kind of scenario as lots of liars claimed to be speaking
from and for God.
These
prophets filled the Jews with “False hopes”, spoke “visions from their own
minds” and promised peace when judgment was looming (vs. 16-17).
Therefore,
the Church in Africa must return to walking with Jesus and open her heart to
hear from Him through Scripture rather than depending on self-made prophets who
deceive the people for their personal gains.
QUESTION:
Which are you known for: telling the truth, no matter the consequences, or
lying to gain cheap fame and favour?
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, please help me to always seek You and open my heart so that You can
speak to me, in Jesus name. Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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