“This is what the Lord of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are making you worthless. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the Lord’s mouth. They keep on saying to those who despise Me, ‘ The Lord has said: You will have peace.’ They have said to everyone who follows the stubbornness of his heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’ ”” Jeremiah 23:16-17 HCSB
“I did not send these prophets, yet they ran with a message. I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. If they had really stood in My council, they would have enabled My people to hear My words and would have turned them back from their evil ways and their evil deeds.” Jeremiah 23:21-22 HCSB
There has been many prophetic words concerning the election in the USA. Even people from other nations have prophesied. Once the election is over and all votes counted we will know was right. Why so many prophetic words and differing messages? God is not the author of confusion. What is God really saying?
People can prophesy for their own selfish ambitions. Others may use it to pacify themselves because they fear what is to come. Some will also try to interpret the scriptures and dreams. We must be careful when we speak prophetically claiming we heard from God especially if it is outside the Word of God. Many have spoke prophetically based on events or signs they see happening in the world. It is amazing how many prophetic words come about whenever the USA has a presidential election. So much in the world seems to hinge on who are president will be. We have to remember that it is not man’s interpretation of signs that speaks for God but Jesus – the word in flesh and the Holy Spirit.
“First of all, you should know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21 HCSB
In Jeremiah God deals with false prophets and false prophesies. Jeremiah was sent by God to tell the inhabitants of Judah that they would go into exile with the Babylonians and the temple would be destroyed. The reason was because of their sin. God also had a message of redemption that a remnant would return to Jerusalem in the future. God said those that would go into exile would be safe. He warned them from Jeremiah not to stay in Jerusalem. Unforturnately, false prophets were telling the people of Judah that God was going to deliver them from Babylonians, preserve the temple and bring peace. They were saying the opposite of that Jeremiah was prophesying. Listening to their prophesies it sounded like God and it eased their fears. However, to follow Jeremiah’s word required faith in God because so much was unknown in going into exile with the Babylonians. So the prophets opposing Jeremiah sounded more convenient.
God responds to these prophets by telling the people not to listen to them. God did not send them. God said they were speaking visions from their own minds and not from God’s mouth. It is easy to imagine for ourselves what the world can be like. People project what they want to see. We cannot call this prophesy nor use these words to manipulate people into doing what we want. God goes on to describe the word spoken to those who hate God and they are told they will have peace and no harm will come. God’s word is like a two edged sword. When God’s word is spoken it is to bring about repentance. God also says this in Jeremiah, if the people truly heard God’s words they would turn from their evil ways and back to God.
So when we listen to these prophetic words, especially predicting the future or telling us who the future leaders will be, we must ask ourselves is the word accomplishing what God’s word accomplishes? “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 HCSB). Otherwise their word may simply be shrouded in the spirit of manipulation to get man to do what they want.
Reflections 