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We get to see the incredible discernment of Jeremiah here in this chapter. He is challenged by Hananiah, a false prophet, and publicly humiliated when the yoke is taken from his neck and shattered on the ground. Most of us would respond to something like this in our flesh. On the other side, Jeremiah could have rebuked him right then and there. He was a false prophet telling false information. However, Jeremiah walked away. How did he know to walk away?
This single act highlights the discernment that only comes from being closely connected to the Spirit. It was not the time. Jeremiah would wait on a word, not from his own thoughts. He would wait for God. Later in the chapter, God tells him to go back and give a message to Hananiah. Jeremiah’s prediction is that this false prophet would die soon, and he does within 2 months.
How do we tell the difference between a false teacher and a Godly teacher? Earlier, in Jeremiah 23, we read this…
“But I have seen the prophets in Jerusalem do even worse: they commit adultery and tell lies; they help people to do wrong, so that no one stops doing what is evil. To me they are all as bad as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.”
Jeremiah 23:14 GNB
The key phrase here is, encourage evil so no one turns from their sins. A true prophet from God talks about sin and calls people to repentance.
Micah 3:8 declares the same thing.
“But as for me, the LORD fills me with his spirit and power, and gives me a sense of justice and the courage to tell the people of Israel what their sins are.”
Micah 3:8 GNB
False prophets tickle people’s ears and tell them what they want to hear. Godly prophets proclaim the truth of sin and call people back to repentance and growth. We must keep this in mind as we seek to learn and grow in our faith.