Jeremiah 23:23–32

23 “Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God far away? 24 Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD. 25 I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ 26 How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, 27 who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? 28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the LORD. 29 Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? 30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who steal my words from one another. 31 Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the LORD.’ 32 Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the LORD, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the LORD.

There are different types of authority. The government has varying levels of power; they have authority to uphold the law. A coach has charge over her team. Administrators have authority over school systems. The police force has jurisdiction to protect counties or districts from crime. A president or king has dominion of his country. Parents have authority over their children. A boss or manager has charge over her employees. Teachers have command of their classrooms.

But there is one Authority to rule them all: God. God is not distant or disconnected, He is omnipresent; meaning He is everywhere all at once! He is both near to you and to the stranger on the opposite side of the world, He fills heaven and earth, and He sees all things. In this passage, there is a warning against false prophets who deceive people with lies that are not from God. Although necessary and good at times, some of the smaller authorities, like those mentioned above, may try to proclaim false messages that lead people away from God, distorting His truth, and allowing the worship of idols––be it social media, power, fame, etc.––to infiltrate and control people’s lives. Seek the Lord daily, so you aren’t easily swayed by deception and lies. And then speak God’s truth with faithfulness, trusting Him and His ultimate authority to know best.

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