Continuing on yesterday’s theme of “Don’t Get Stuck”, don’t swallow up hook, line, and sinker everything a minister teaches.
Just because a minister has written a bestselling book or pastors a mega-church doesn’t mean that he/she preaches the Gospel according to God’s word.
Many are searching for a positive message of hope and many ministers are giving it but without Jesus.
Everyone wants some good news and some hope.
I recall a story from Jeremiah.
A man named Hananiah stepped forward and he said, “The LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will remove the yoke of the king of Babylon from your necks. Within two years, I will bring back all the Temple treasures that King Nebuchadnezzar carried off to Babylon. And I will bring back Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the other captives that were taken to Babylon. I will surely break the yoke that the king of Babylon has put on your necks. I, the LORD, have spoken!”
Jeremiah responded to Hananiah as they stood in front of all the priests and people at the Temple. He said, “Amen! May your prophecies come true! I hope the LORD does everything you say. Jer 28:1-6 NLT
Hananiah said again to the crowd that had gathered, “The LORD has promised that within two years he will break the yoke of oppression from all the nations now subject to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.” At that, Jeremiah left the Temple area. Jer 28:11 NLT
It seemed as if that was that but then God spoke to Jeremiah.
Then Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! The LORD has not sent you, but the people believe your lies. Therefore, the LORD says you must die. Your life will end this very year because you have rebelled against the LORD.”
Two months later, Hananiah died. Jer 28:15-17 NLT
Just because someone says, “THUS SAYS THE LORD” doesn’t mean it is true.
“THUS SAYS THE LORD” can never contradict what the Lord has already said and it can never go against the holy nature of God.
Don’t get stuck!
Read God’s word for yourself.