Has God Indeed Said, or Did Christians Say? - Part 3: Misquoting God (Jeremiah 23:16-32)

Sermon on 10 May 2026 by Pastor Justin

Introduction

We have to check the bible for the truth. Do not rely on the internet or AI for bible study. Go back to the bible, so that you know the truth for yourself.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. - Acts 17:11

Message

Jeremiah addressed a serious issue of people speaking on behalf of God, on things that God did not say. And they spoke without God’s authority (Jeremiah 23:30-32). If we spread things that God did not say, this leads to deception and spiritual harm.

“Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,” says the Lord, “who steal My words every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets,” says the Lord, “who use their tongues and say, ‘He says.’ Behold I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says the Lord, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the Lord. - Jeremiah 23:30-32

Prophets are called and sent from God Himself. It is a gift. Being a prophet cannot be self-proclaimed. One cannot attend a school to train up as a prophet. The spiritual gift of prophecy is from the Holy Spirit.

But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ - Deuteronomy 18:20

These are the dangers of misquoting God:

● Mixing our confusing feelings with God’s will

● Voicing promises that God did not make

● Speaking without His authority

1. Confuse vision with revelation (Jeremiah 23:16)

Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord. - Jeremiah 23:16

2. Confuse comforting words with the truth

They continually say to those who despise Me, ‘The Lord has said, “You shall have peace”’; And to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, ‘No evil shall come upon you.’” - Jeremiah 23:17

3. The seriousness of misrepresenting God

When people say that sins have been forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago, it does not mean that every sin you commit (including those that you commit in the future) has been erased. Repentance is still necessary. It is dangerous to misrepresent the truth of the bible.

“Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,” says the Lord, “who steal My words every one from his neighbour. - Jeremiah 23:30

Closing

Let us speak carefully. Be slow to speak. Listen deeply. Faith comes by hearing. Doing the work shows our faith. Anchor yourself in the Scriptures. Do not blindly trust what you see. Live by the truth. You abide by the truth and walk in the truth. God’s Word is powerful.

“Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? - Jeremiah 23:29

God is still speaking today, but He has already spoken clearly through His Word.

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds. - Hebrews 1:1-2

If God did not say something, we must never claim He did. Let the Word of God speak for itself!