Instead of only listening, we need to LOOK AT THE MAP.
We often have problems with deliveries to our home. Apparently, some GPS apps direct the driver to take a dirt road that ends in the middle of an open field, or the directions do not even bring them to our street, but rather to a street over from us with instructions to cut through another person’s yard. However, if one looks at the map, our street is clearly there, and at the end of our drive is a large mailbox with oversized numbers marking the location.
As I have shared in the past few weeks, I have been studying the book of Jeremiah. God had given Jeremiah a message to deliver. However, Jeremiah’s message was not what the people wanted to hear. They did not want to hear or believe that God was unhappy with them for their disobedience. They did not want to hear of the punishment that was coming for their lack of repentance. In Jeremiah 36, we are told that when the message Jeremiah had written down was read before King Jehoiakim, he sliced it into pieces with his knife and burned it.
- “… he cut it with the penknife and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth…” (Jeremiah 36:23 KJV).
But in Jeremiah 23, God warns of listening to false prophets who are delivering a feel-good message that is not from the Lord.
- “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:16).
In life, we often come to a fork in the road where we have a decision to make. Some of these decisions are major and life-altering while others may not have so great an impact. There are also many messages that we hear that are meant to direct us one way or another in our walk with Christ. How do we know which path to choose or what messages to accept and allow to direct us? Friends, first of all, we need to read God’s Word daily, digging deep into the scriptures ourselves, and letting His living Word speak to our hearts.
- “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
Second, we need to pray. We need to go to the Father and humbly communicate with Him one-on-one constantly.
- “Be careful in nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 KJV).
Just as in Jeremiah’s time, we will encounter many false teachings. In 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, we are warned, “And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness…”(KJV). We have to be on guard, looking to God’s Word to discern what is really from God.
As in my opening example, instead of only listening, we need to look at the map to verify the authenticity and accuracy of what we hear.
