This morning my wife and I were reading in Jeremiah 23 and some interesting points stuck out to us. First and foremost, read the whole chapter for yourself. Read the Bible for yourself. These were just some verses that stuck out to us:
Jeremiah 23:16 - Thus says the LORD of Hosts, Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility. They speak a vision of their own imagination, not from the mouth of the LORD.
Does this happen today? I mean, this was written by God but it was just for Jeremiahs time right? This doesn't apply today. Wrong! This is sill applied today!
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - ALL Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
So that includes Old Testament as well. ALL Scripture!
The LORD said to not listen to these prophets because they spoke from their own imagination and the LORD did not put His words in these prophets mouths.
Things they will say are listed in verse 17 - They keep saying to those who despise Me, The LORD has said, you will have peace. And as for everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, they say, Calamity will not come upon you.
A false prophet will say things that God did not tell them to say. How are we suppose to know? We just looked at 2 Timothy 3:16 - ALL Scripture is inspired (God breathed)... This means the only way we are going to know if a man tells us something and it is true, is if we can back it up with Scripture. That is why it is so important to read the Bible and not just mans words.
Jeremiah 23:32 - Behold, I am against those who have prophesied false dreams, declares the LORD, and related them and led My people astray by their falsehoods and reckless boasting; yet I did not send them or command them, nor do they furnish this people the slightest benefit, declares the LORD.
I find it interesting that in verse 21 it says they RUN when the LORD has not sent them or commanded them. God is the one who does the choosing.
John 15:16 - You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My Name (Jesus) He may give it to you.
I went to church growing up for a long time thinking that I picked Jesus. That's what the pastor said at least. But Jesus says here that He is the one that chooses. It says many are called but few are chosen. But the important part is that we bear fruit!
Matthew 7:15-23
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "So then, you will know them by their fruits.
Interesting that it says to beware of false prophets. Jesus says this. And that they will bear a certain fruit that you will be able to know that it is bad. How important is it then to bear good fruit? Maybe we'll look at this some more. Lets finish the context:
(21-23) - "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
When is the last time you have heard or talked about the Kingdom of Heaven? And what was it that these people didn't do that kept them from entering?