To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (Isa 8:20)

There is a great need for God’s people to tie their thoughts to the Truth, the scriptures. We are so apt to walk in the imaginations and ambitions of our mind. We rely on rational processes without understanding that by nature our thinking is suspect (for my thoughts are not your thoughts, saith the Lord). Perhaps our greatest fault is thinking that we are omniscient in our understanding. We rebel against God’s ways, believing that we know what is right because surely we know all the information. Only the Lord knows all things. He has declared the end from the beginning. Therefore we can trust His declarations on all things because He is righteous and true in all His ways.

The importance of this is seen in the fact that if we communicate something as “truth” that is not – we could be in the position of teaching rebellion against the Lord. Our supposed good can become an occasion of evil. This is imperative upon all believers but especially upon the pulpits of our movement. We must be committed to an accurate exposition of the scriptures and all the counsel of God.

Jeremiah had to proclaim the Lord’s message to two men who did much damage to the cause of the Messiah. In both of these cases, these men lost their lives (and in one case his family) for their proclamation. Perhaps these men believed they were sincere. Perhaps these men thought that they were encouraging the people of Israel. However we must remember that only truth encourages, comforts, and edifies. The Scripture is trustworthy and true. May our reading of these verses, drive us to our knees for the illumination of God to the meaning of His Words. May we cry out to know Him, Jesus Christ, of whom is eternal life.

Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD. So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month. (Jeremiah 28:15-17)

Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie: Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD. (Jeremiah 29:30-32)