“Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:16, ESV)
Dozens of times in the scriptures we read how God wanted His people to listen. Often, they were told to listen to God’s warnings (Jeremiah 17:24), follow God’s voice, and heed His commands (Exodus 15:26). It is a common theme in scripture that you need to trust in what God commands and seek His direction. All this involves listening for God’s voice while seeking understanding in any given situation. However, our scripture for today turns that upside down. In Jeremiah 23:16, the Lord tells the people of faith to “not listen to the words of the prophets”. The reason? They were lying to God’s people, giving them “vain hopes”, telling “visions of their own minds” that were “not from the mouth of the Lord”. Often in history, God spoke through prophets and judges, elders and apostles, pastors and preachers. However, every now and then the appointed spiritual leaders that were revered among God’s people were not speaking God’s word. They were passing along words of selfish interest. In the time of Jeremiah, there were false prophets who wanted to calm the people all the while God was upset with their sins. These false leaders were preaching soothing messages to placate the people instead of telling them the truth about their considerable sins.
In Jeremiah 6:14, the prophet Jeremiah was highly critical of these same false prophets. He noted that they were constantly preaching about peace, when there was no peace in the land. Why did the prophets do all this false preaching and teaching? They were being manipulated by political leaders, especially their kings and the religious authorities, to make the decisions of the leaders more acceptable in the sight of the people even though these decisions were evil. Essentially, their preaching was more propaganda than prophecy. God would not accept these distortions of the truth. God spoke through Jeremiah telling the people to stop listening to these false prophets and look for the true voice of God.
False prophets using religious or political propaganda have often been in conflict with the message of God. In New Testament times, this was a common theme. Jesus warned about “false prophets” that would attempt to deceive the faithful (Matthew 24:11, Mark 13:22). Peter warned about “false teachers” who would introduce “destructive heresies” into the churches (2 Peter 2:1). John warned that every Christian should “test the spirits” of religious leaders because false prophets would be among them. (1 John 4:1). Even the book of Revelation mentions that Satan and the Beast used a false prophet to deceive the faithful by clouding the truth (Revelation 16:13, 19:20). One title for Satan is deceiver after all (Revelation 12:9)! The Bible wants to make clear that not only are there prophets, but there are also false prophets. God’s truth needs to be separated from the lies and deceptions of false leaders.
In Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler used propaganda very effectively. Hitler used his propaganda minister named Joseph Goebbels to spin all the news given to the German people to benefit the Nazi regime. Joseph Stalin used propaganda very successfully to hide the persecution of many cultural groups. However, its not just political leaders who use propaganda effectively. Religious leaders employ it as well. When churches were closing in my home denomination due to poor leadership, some leaders claimed the closings would help the church to become purer and more focused! When splits occurred in the Methodist churches, some leaders explained that the Methodist church needed to “speak to modern times” and shake off its old traditions. When propaganda occurs inside and outside the church, it is often difficult to figure out God’s truth. The truth is being twisted to such an extent that it is difficult to see which way is faithful.
While Jeremiah told the people not to listen to the false prophets, at the same time false prophets were urging the people to ignore Jeremiah! It was only years later after the exile that Jeremiah was proven to be the one delivering God’s true message. Years from now, you might find out who was speaking the truth to your world today. You might be the one deceived. You might be listening to the propaganda. You might know the real truth. Though it is difficult to detect at times, God’s truth is out there in the world. God is still speaking. False prophets are still lying. Will you figure out what God is really saying?
Through dedicated prayer, a thorough knowledge of God’s Word, and by communing with the Holy Spirit, you may be able to glean God’s honest truth. This search is extremely important, not only to you but to future generations. Satan’s deceptions cause pain and destruction. God’s truth sets you free (John 8:32). Satan’s lies will cause you to lose your way and become hopeless (John 8:44). God’s truth will bring peace (Zechariah 8:16).
Is there a type of propaganda you are susceptible to believing? Are there some worldly truths that have deceived your thinking? Dedicate yourself to learning God’s truth. Nothing else can replace it!
In Jeremiah 6:14, the prophet Jeremiah was highly critical of these same false prophets. He noted that they were constantly preaching about peace, when there was no peace in the land. Why did the prophets do all this false preaching and teaching? They were being manipulated by political leaders, especially their kings and the religious authorities, to make the decisions of the leaders more acceptable in the sight of the people even though these decisions were evil. Essentially, their preaching was more propaganda than prophecy. God would not accept these distortions of the truth. God spoke through Jeremiah telling the people to stop listening to these false prophets and look for the true voice of God.
False prophets using religious or political propaganda have often been in conflict with the message of God. In New Testament times, this was a common theme. Jesus warned about “false prophets” that would attempt to deceive the faithful (Matthew 24:11, Mark 13:22). Peter warned about “false teachers” who would introduce “destructive heresies” into the churches (2 Peter 2:1). John warned that every Christian should “test the spirits” of religious leaders because false prophets would be among them. (1 John 4:1). Even the book of Revelation mentions that Satan and the Beast used a false prophet to deceive the faithful by clouding the truth (Revelation 16:13, 19:20). One title for Satan is deceiver after all (Revelation 12:9)! The Bible wants to make clear that not only are there prophets, but there are also false prophets. God’s truth needs to be separated from the lies and deceptions of false leaders.
In Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler used propaganda very effectively. Hitler used his propaganda minister named Joseph Goebbels to spin all the news given to the German people to benefit the Nazi regime. Joseph Stalin used propaganda very successfully to hide the persecution of many cultural groups. However, its not just political leaders who use propaganda effectively. Religious leaders employ it as well. When churches were closing in my home denomination due to poor leadership, some leaders claimed the closings would help the church to become purer and more focused! When splits occurred in the Methodist churches, some leaders explained that the Methodist church needed to “speak to modern times” and shake off its old traditions. When propaganda occurs inside and outside the church, it is often difficult to figure out God’s truth. The truth is being twisted to such an extent that it is difficult to see which way is faithful.
While Jeremiah told the people not to listen to the false prophets, at the same time false prophets were urging the people to ignore Jeremiah! It was only years later after the exile that Jeremiah was proven to be the one delivering God’s true message. Years from now, you might find out who was speaking the truth to your world today. You might be the one deceived. You might be listening to the propaganda. You might know the real truth. Though it is difficult to detect at times, God’s truth is out there in the world. God is still speaking. False prophets are still lying. Will you figure out what God is really saying?
Through dedicated prayer, a thorough knowledge of God’s Word, and by communing with the Holy Spirit, you may be able to glean God’s honest truth. This search is extremely important, not only to you but to future generations. Satan’s deceptions cause pain and destruction. God’s truth sets you free (John 8:32). Satan’s lies will cause you to lose your way and become hopeless (John 8:44). God’s truth will bring peace (Zechariah 8:16).
Is there a type of propaganda you are susceptible to believing? Are there some worldly truths that have deceived your thinking? Dedicate yourself to learning God’s truth. Nothing else can replace it!