Listening to the Word

Jeremiah 23, 25; John 19 

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. They keep saying to those who despise me.’ The Lord says: ‘You will have peace.’ And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts they say, ‘No harm will come to you.’ But which of them has stood in the council of the Lord to see or to hear his word?...”

Jeremiah 23:16-18

When prophets and leaders who claim to speak on behalf of the Lord are oriented around pleasing people and keeping their ministry jobs, they will fear speaking the word of the Lord. More than that, they will enjoy the company of others more than the counsel of the Lord. When we train young leaders to meet the needs of people, but ignore the essential discipline of waiting on the Lord, we, too, will reward the rebellion and stubbornness of people with a self-serving theology.

Are we seeking the presence of the Lord?

Are we learning to listen to the word of our Shepherd and to obey him?

When we ignore the presence of the Lord, our words lack his authority and those words won’t transform hearts and lives.

“Lord Jesus, you are my life and your Word is my food, for your glory.”