I’ve been reading through Jeremiah, struck by how timely and relevant the prophet’s words are for us today. Jeremiah helps us discern whether someone claiming to be a prophet is genuine or a fraud.
In Jeremiah’s time, the people of Judah believe their future is safe as long as they keep offering sacrifices and uttering what scholar Carmen Imes calls their magic password,
“…the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord (Jer. 7:4)!”
The people think because God dwells among them they are immune to his judgment.
They assume they can go right on stealing, murdering, committing adultery, and worshiping false gods because of their special spiritual status as God’s people (Jer. 7:9-11).
This behavior and its consequences shapes the context for the famous verse, Jeremiah 17:9,
“For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
We love to paste Jeremiah 17:9 on coffee mugs and T shirts, not realizing this promise for the people of Judah would only be fulfilled after a lengthy period of punishment.
It was a prediction of comfort to come following many horrible years of captivity and exile.
Jeremiah, sent by the Lord, warned the king and the people of the coming punishment for years and years.
They wouldn’t listen.
But they did listen to their favorite prophets—the ones who said what they wanted to hear.
The ones who declared that nothing bad would happen to God’s people despite their disobedience. The ones who ignored sin and prophesied peace and prosperity.
In observing what is off about false prophets, I’ve noticed it’s not just that they prophesy inaccurately. It’s not even the major character flaws they exhibit, although these are important red flags.
False prophets seem to share one consistent trait which is especially worthy of our attention.
What sets false prophets apart from true prophets is that their big, upbeat, super positive promises offer the shiny lure of false hope to lead God’s people away from him.
And the worst part is, the people listen and follow, believing they can combine idolatrous living with God’s favor!
While distinct differences between Old Testament and New Testament prophecy exist, we can draw principles from Old Testament prophecy in terms of motives, desires, and character in prophets and those who heed their words.
Here is one such principle:
God’s people became deceived when their hearts chased after idols. They were easily led astray because they wanted the wrong things.
They wanted to enjoy the favor and protection of God, but they didn’t want to honor his name with obedient behavior.
They wanted the benefits of being God’s chosen people, but they refused to uphold their end of the covenant.
They wanted creature comforts, peace, and prosperity, but they wanted it their way.
They wanted to have their cake and eat it, too.
This begs the question today: what is the condition of our hearts?
What is it we want the most?
Do we want King Jesus enough to walk in the ways of his upside-down kingdom?
Are we willing to embrace the cruciform life to follow him, knowing it includes suffering and sacrifice?
Will we let go of the notion of special status to serve the least of these?
Will we content ourselves with the promise of rewards to come later, after this earthly life?
Or will we insist on personal prosperity and positions of power here and now?
Here’s the thing:
If we don’t value the truth above our selfish desires, we’re easily duped by those who know how to speak the words we want to hear.
Just like the Judeans in Jeremiah’s time, we’ll settle for fake words because they make us feel good.
We’ll go for prophecies with pleasing spiritual verbiage without discerning their source.
We’ll swallow the dazzling lure of rights and comforts and status.
Yes, there are ways to test the words and characters of prophets.
But when it comes to discerning prophecies accurately, perhaps we should begin by examining our own hearts.
To learn more about OT and NT prophecy, purchase Prophesying Daughters: How Prophetic Ministry and Women in Leadership Strengthen the Church, AND the study guide for under $20. Also available in audio book and eBook!
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