JEREMIAH: CONCERNING FALSE PROPHETS

While reading Jeremiah I came across scriptures that reminded me of the false prophets in America today. Jeremiah 23 gives many details and is written below. I have separated parts of this passage and added some others and follow them with thoughts about how the situation today in America is similar.
Concerning the prophets: My heart is broken within me; all my bones tremble. I am like a drunken man, like a man overcome by wine, because of the Lord and his holy words. The land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land lies parched and the pastures in the desert are withered. The prophets follow an evil course and use their power unjustly.
‘Both prophet and priest are godless; even in my temple I find their wickedness,’ declares the Lord.
'Therefore their path will become slippery; they will be banished to darkness and there they will fall. I will bring disaster on them in the year they are punished,' declares the Lord.
'Among the prophets of Samaria I saw this repulsive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray. And among the prophets of Jerusalem, I have seen something horrible: They commit adultery and live a lie. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his wickedness. They are all like Sodom to me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.'
Therefore, this is what the Lord Almighty says concerning the prophets:
'I will make them eat bitter food and drink poisoned water, because from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.'
This is what the Lord Almighty says:
'Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. They keep saying to those who despise me, "The Lord says you will have peace." And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts they say, "No harm will come to you."' But which of them has stood in the council of the Lord to see or to hear his word? Who has listened and heard his word? See, the storm of the Lord will burst out in wrath, a whirlwind swirling down on the heads of the wicked. The anger of the Lord will not turn back until he fully accomplishes the purposes of His heart. In days to come you will understand it clearly. I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. But if they had stood in my council they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds.
'Am I only a God nearby,' declares the Lord, 'and not a God far away?' Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?' declares the Lord. 'Do not I fill heaven and earth?' declares the Lord.
I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, 'I had a dream! I had a dream!' How long will this continue in the hearts of those lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget My name, just as their fathers forgot my name through Baal worship. Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?' declares the Lord. 'Is not my word like fire,' declares the Lord, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?'
'Therefore,' declares the Lord, 'I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. Yes,' declares the Lord, 'I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare,' "The Lord declares." 'Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,' declares the Lord. 'They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,' declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:9-32 NIV)
"The land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land lies parched and the pastures in the desert are withered." (Jer. 23:10a NIV)
Because of the adultery in the land, there is a lot of spiritual dryness. I am not simply referring to physical adultery between men and women (although much of that exists); I am talking about adultery against the Lord. I am referring to Christians who have turned to other idols and substituted them for the proper place the Lord would have in their lives... replacing Him with those idols or else adding an idol in addition to the Lord.
One example includes allowing our church and our religious activities to take the place of Jesus in our lives. We appear "good" outwardly but inwardly we think wickedly. We have rejected the true God and substituted Him for religiosity.
Some of us allow a "people relationship", such as a boyfriend or girlfriend, husband or wife, or our children to take the rightful devotion away from the Lord. Although we may say that we would die for the Lord, we do not choose Him in the little things. We prefer to keep peace in the home rather than to walk in righteousness. If it comes to saying "no to sex" because of Jesus, we would rather have "some sex" just to keep our boyfriend or girlfriend. We have now chosen this relationship over God. It is an idol. The list could go on and throughout this book various types of idolatry will be and have been dealt with.

The prophets follow an evil course and use their power unjustly.
'Both prophet and priest are godless, even in my temple I find their wickedness,' declares the Lord.
'Among the prophets of Samaria I saw this repulsive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray. And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible: They commit adultery and live a lie. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his wickedness. They are all like Sodom to me, the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.'" (Jer. 23:10b,11,13,14 NIV)
There are many prophets who are encouraging and preaching things that are lies. They are saying things that lead people astray. They are causing them to turn away from the Lord. And the people do not even realize it.
One example addresses the Health/Wealth/Prosperity/Word of Faith prophets of our day. There are many who say that being a Christian will result in an increase in material wealth if we just believe. This lie equates our spiritual riches (wisdom, knowledge of God, purity of relationships, etc.) with the physical junk in this world that will decay and rust. This and the other aspects of their teachings lead us to worship another Jesus, not the Jesus of the Bible.
From the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land. (Jer. 23:15b NIV)
Because of the false teachings of these prophets, ungodliness has spread and continues to spread in the Church.
However, I want to emphasize that there are some true prophets. They are truly testifying to the Lord and bringing people closer to Him. These prophets encourage and strengthen the brethren. Sometimes they will say or do things that will cause sorrow for a season so that people will repent. Sometimes the true prophet's word will be very hard (or seem to be harsh to those who are wanting to remain in their sins) because there is much sin in the land. But ultimately, the people will be brought closer to Jesus and be set free.

This is what the Lord Almighty says:
'Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. They keep saying to those who despise me, "The Lord says: You will have peace." And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts they say, "No harm will come to you."'" (Jer. 23:16,17 NIV)
'The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.' (Jeremiah 14:14b NIV)
There is a group of people, a rather large group of people, who are saying there is going to be peace. They say, "You will be protected; no harm will come to you." And this is being said to those who are not obeying God, to those who are not loving God. They continue to say, "O don't worry. You're okay. God will provide. God will give you peace."
On the contrary, God is bringing judgment and it has already started. Judgment begins in the house of God. The only place of safety and refuge is in the Lord Himself... that each one of us repent of our sins and idolatry and turn to Him, loving Him only, and loving our brothers and sisters as ourselves. This is what he wants us to do. "In repentance and rest is your salvation…" (Is. 30:15 NIV)
Those who are saying to you, ‘O you will have peace,' while in their sin or while you are continuing in your sin, are lying to you. And it's a very false security.
But which of them has stood in the council of the Lord to see or to hear his word? See, the storm of the Lord will burst out in wrath, a whirlwind swirling down on the heads of the wicked. The anger of the Lord will not turn back until he fully accomplishes the purposes of his heart. In days to come you will understand it clearly. I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. But if they had stood in my council they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds.
‘Am I only a God nearby,' declares the Lord, 'and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?' declares the Lord. 'Do not I fill heaven and earth?' declares the Lord. (Jer. 23:18-24 NIV)
There is going to be a storm and that storm has already begun, bursting out in wrath like a whirlwind swirling down. Oftentimes, "whirlwind" refers to judgment of the Lord. This judgment has already started and will continue to be more severe in this country because of the lack of repentance. I believe that one aspect of this judgment is the increase in random murders. In a stable neighborhood with good schools and financial status, a man was shot by a teenager when he answered his door...simply because the man had asked the teen to turn down the radio in his car. There are cases that we read or hear about everyday in the media. Just a few decades ago, truancy was a major issue. Rarely, as compared to today, was murder an issue. Today, we are dealing with murders and violence in unspeakable ways! Life has little or no value.
Currently, or recently, (depending on when this book is published) there is or has been an open window of God's compassion and mercy. God has been wanting to pour out his lovingkindness and has done so to many, hoping that they would turn. Some people have, but others have not. As a result, they are going to be swept away by this judgment because of the evil they have done.
'I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, "I had a dream! I had a dream!" How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget My name, just as their fathers forgot my name through Baal worship. Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?' declares the Lord. 'Is not my word like fire,' declares the Lord, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? Therefore,' declares the Lord, 'I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. Yes,' declares the Lord, 'I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, 'The Lord declares.' Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,' declares the Lord. 'They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,' declares the Lord. (Jer. 23:25-32 NIV)
The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity. The oracles they gave you were false and misleading. (Lam. 2:14 NIV)
The word of the Lord is powerful.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12,13 NIV)
In accordance with this passage, God's word will break through the hardness. God's word will break through and deal with the wickedness. God's word is the only truth and is the only refuge. Stop believing a lie.
This is what the Lord says: Stand in the courtyard of the Lord's house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word. Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from his evil way. (Jeremiah 26:2-3a NIV)
This is what the Lord desires: His people would hear His words and that the people of this land, this nation, would hear His words and heed them instead of ignoring and disobeying them.

Then I will relent and not bring on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done. Say to them, 'This is what the Lord says: If you do not listen to me and follow my law, which I have set before you, and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened), then I will make this house like Shiloh and this city an object of cursing among all the nations of the earth." (Jeremiah 26:3b-6 NIV)
This is an example of what will happen. It has already begun. We have been cursed as a Christian nation before the secular nation. I wish I could say that this is persecution... that we are being falsely accused. The problem is that we are not being falsely accused. We are being rightfully exposed. I would rather wish that the Church was not guilty and wrongfully accused! Actually, we should be exposed, for judgment begins in the house of God! As I said earlier, if those who are part of the Church would speak out and say "this is wrong," and the people repented (in other words, if the Church would clean up its own house), then the world would not have to get wind of our wickedness; their accusations would be false. Unfortunately, many, if not all of the accusations that I have been hearing have been true. How awful to have the Church be just as wicked, and maybe in some respects, more wicked than the world. This is very abominable to God. It is only by believing in Jesus and obeying Him that we will be justified. (Read endnote.)

And though the Lord has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention. They said, 'Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices, and you can stay in the land the Lord gave to you and your fathers forever and ever. Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them; do not provoke me to anger with what your hands have made. Then I will not harm you.
But you did not listen to me,' declares the Lord, 'and you have provoked me with what your hands have made, and you have brought harm to yourselves.' (Jeremiah 25:4-7,NIV)
Even though this has already happened, and is continuing to happen, it is not too late to confess your sins, turn from them and return to the Lord. For He will receive us graciously and will forgive all our sins.
Those who are false prophets, following false ways and remaining in their sins take to heart the following warning: The “man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed - without remedy." (Prov. 29:1 NIV)
Even Jesus said, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them." (Mt. 7:15,16 NIV)
Performing healings and miracles, driving out demons, and prophesying does not mean someone is a true prophet. False prophets do these things as well.
Some of these false prophets are doing many signs and wonders. The Lord tells us,
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evil-doers! (Mt. 7:21-23 NIV)
It's so important to examine our own hearts. Are we doing the will of our Father in Heaven? Do we know Him? Does He know us? Are we in danger of God telling us, "I never knew you. Away from Me, you evil-doers!"? We need to heed His word and know Him… the true God… the true prophet. Jesus told us, "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles…. See, I have told you ahead of time." (Mt. 24:24,25 NIV)
Commonly, many people speak of false prophets very positively. Jesus said in Luke 6:26, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets." (NIV) On the contrary, those in the Church and sometimes those outside the Church quite often persecute true prophets. Even Jesus, who was a prophet, was persecuted by the chief priests and religious leaders of His day. Some of the people did receive Him but many of the people did not. And what about the examples of prophets in the Old Testament? They spoke to Israel and many times Israel rejected them. They were outcast. They were treated very poorly. Their lives were threatened. So it is quite common for true prophets to be rejected by the masses.
If you are spoken well of by all men, beware! You may be a false prophet or dealing as a false prophet. I am not saying that you won't be treated well at some times. Some people did treat Jesus well. Some people treated the other prophets well. But being a prophet is not an office for popularity. Prophets aren't noted for receiving Congeniality Awards.
There is an example of a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, who withstood Paul's preaching. He was a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus. Paul responded to him and said,
O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time. And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand" (Acts 13:10,11).
This is an example of how Paul, a true apostle, dealt with a false prophet.
God is not asking for His Church to be meek, mild, quiet children when it comes to false prophets. He wants us to speak out and call things as they are. It is very Biblical and scriptural. In fact, Paul was filled with the Holy Ghost when he said these things. And these were not nice words that he spoke to this person. And causing blindness was not a nice thing to do.

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I highly recommend the following books for those who want to know more about this topic or about what I call the “Prosperity,” “Health/Wealth,” or “Word of Faith” movement:
• Bruce Barron, The Health and Wealth Gospel
• Hank Hanegraaff, Christianity in Crisis
• Dave Hunt & T.A. McMahon, The Seduction of Christianity (Harvest House Publishers, 1985)
• D.R. McConnell, A Different Gospel (Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1995)
The rest of this paragraph was added in the first revision that was finished in April 1996. At that time the recent public school mass murders had not happened. The specific example I give was from a Littleton, Colorado neighborhood and was reported to me by a pastor who lived there.
In the late 80s there was exposure of corrupt leaders of the Health/Wealth/Prosperity movement and the promiscuity of a well-known Assemblies of God preacher. Just think how far we have fallen in a little more than a decade when Christian leaders were being exposed for wickedness and it was considered corruption by the nation. More recently we have had publicly known corruption in the Presidency (Clinton’s Presidency) and it is seemingly excused!