Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Hear now, Hananiah, the Lord has not sent you, but you make this people trust in a lie.
Jeremiah 28:15 NKJV
There is a subtle yet dangerous temptation in the life of every believer. It is the urge to speak when God has not spoken. It is the desire to declare things that sound good, feel right, and are widely accepted, yet are not rooted in divine instruction.
In Jeremiah chapter 28, we encounter a sobering story that calls us into caution and spiritual responsibility. We see Hananiah, the son of Azur, standing boldly before the priests and the people in the temple. With confidence, he proclaims a message that appears hopeful and comforting. He declares that God will break the yoke of the king of Babylon and restore the people within a short time.
Naturally, this was the kind of message everyone longed to hear. It sounded like an answer to prayer. It brought relief, hope, and reassurance. However, not every pleasant word is a word from God.
Then we see Jeremiah respond. Interestingly, his initial reaction was not confrontation but agreement in desire. He said, “Amen,” expressing that he wished those words would indeed come to pass. Nevertheless, he quickly brought clarity. He reminded the people that true prophets are not validated by how appealing their words sound, but by whether their words come to pass as spoken by the Lord. This distinction is crucial. We cannot measure truth by how comforting it feels, but by its source.
Shortly after, God sent a clear message through Jeremiah. Hananiah had not been sent by the Lord. Worse still, he had caused the people to trust in a lie. The consequence was severe and sobering—Hananiah died, confirming that his message did not come from God.
This account reveals a hard but necessary truth. It is dangerous to speak on God’s behalf when He has not spoken. It may attract attention, gain approval and may even sound spiritual. However, if God is not the source, the end is destruction.
In today’s world, where many voices compete for attention, the temptation to say what people want to hear remains strong. People often prefer messages that promise ease, success, and immediate deliverance. Yet, as this passage shows us, popularity is not proof of divine backing.
Therefore, we must examine ourselves carefully. The question is, are we speaking from God, or are we speaking from our emotions? Are we declaring His truth, or are we pursuing recognition?
Living with this awareness requires intentional discipline and humility. First, we must cultivate a deep relationship with God, because intimacy with Him sharpens our ability to discern His voice. As we spend time in prayer and in the Word, we become less driven by emotion and more anchored in truth. Furthermore, we must learn to wait, even when there is pressure to speak, because silence is better than misrepresenting God. In addition, accountability is essential, as wise counsel helps to confirm whether what we believe we have received truly aligns with Scripture. Over time, this posture of caution protects both us and those who listen to us. Ultimately, choosing accuracy over applause ensures that we remain faithful to God rather than popular with people.
Living It Out
In the end, the question is simple but weighty: who sent you? Never trade truth for acceptance—only speak when God has truly spoken, because every word spoken in His name carries eternal weight.