“for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord”(Jeremiah 29:9).

Jeremiah wrote letters to the children of Israel who were in exile in Babylon. His guidance for them was to build houses, marry and have children and to pray for the welfare of the city where they were living. Jeremiah went further to warn them not to listen to the false prophets and diviner’s who were among them who prophesied lies.

God offered comfort to his people that he had a good plan for them. His plan was to restore them to their place of promise. God spoke concerning the false prophets, who were prophesying lies to the people in his name. “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying a lie to you in my name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall strike them down before your eyes”(Jeremiah 29:21).

Jeremiah spoke regarding God’s anger towards other prophets in the land who prophesied falsely. “therefore thus says the Lord: Behold, I will punish Shemaiah of Nehelam and his descendants. He shall not have anyone living among this people, and he shall not see the good that I will do to my people, declares the Lord, for he has spoken rebellion against the Lord’”(Jeremiah 29:32).

God may not exact such vengeance against false prophets in this time, because we are living under the dispensation of grace. We however, have to be circumspect enough, to not believe every prophecy that we hear. God warns us to be discerning and to test the spirits to see whether they are of God (1 John 4:1). We also have to measure every prophecy against the knowledge of God’s word.

Furthermore, you will seldom receive a prophecy about your life, that does not relate to something that you already know, a desire that you have, a prayer or a private request to God. Even true prophets can miss God or misinterpret revelation, because everyone is human. It is important not to put anyone on a pedestal. Instead make the time to cultivate your own relationship with God, so that you are able to hear from him for yourself. More so pray for God to increase your discernment so that you can test what is good or evil.

A.P.-Y.

Published by Anneta Pinto-Young

I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession. Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm. I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing. I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.

Published