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Clip Art Image: Preach the Word

God has a lot to say about the preaching of His message.  One of the greatest chapters in Scripture for every preacher to read is Jeremiah 23.  In this chapter, the Lord speaks out against prophets (preachers who claim to speak the truth of God) who mislead the people in various ways.  It's a wonderful thing to be a preacher of the truth.  It's a bad thing to preach for personal gain, saying whatever seems most popular at the moment.

Here are a couple of excerpts from Jeremiah 23:

Thus says the LORD of hosts:

"Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you.

They make you worthless;

They speak a vision of their own heart,

Not from the mouth of the LORD. 

They continually say to those who despise Me,

‘The LORD has said, "You shall have peace"‘;

And to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say,

‘No evil shall come upon you.’"

For who has stood in the counsel of the LORD,

And has perceived and heard His word?

Who has marked His word and heard it?"   (Jeremiah 23:16-18   NKJV)

 

"The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream;

And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully.

What is the chaff to the wheat?" says the LORD.
"Is not My word like a fire?" says the LORD,

"And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

"Therefore behold, I am against the prophets," says the LORD, "who steal My words every one from his neighbor."  (Jeremiah 23:28-30  NKJV)

 

If you are a preacher or if you plan to become one I urge you to study the 23rd chapter of Jeremiah.  Know it well.  Compare several translations, or study it in the original language.

God take seriously each person who speaks in His Name.  Whoever stands in a pulpit to preach or teach the Scriptures needs to know that they have a message from God Himself, and not just a word from other preachers, or from their denomination or sect. 

Preach the Bible faithfully and you will know that you have a message from God.  Spend time lingering in His Presence, and you will know what he wants His people to hear.