Jeremiah Chapter 28. Am I a false prophet?
Hananiah, the false prophet, falsely prophesizes in front of Jeremiah, the priests, and all the people that:
1) God will break the stronghold that Babylon has on the people.
2) In two years, God will return the articles that were stolen by Babylon.
3) God will return all those who were taken captive by Babylon.
Jeremiah, God's true prophet, speaks up and says to Hananiah:
Amen! It would be great if what you just said was true. But if it doesn't happen then it's evidence that you are a false prophet. In frustration, Hananiah breaks the yoke off Jeremiah's neck and says this is what God will do to Babylon. Jeremiah speaks God's word to him and says you are wrong and God will take your life within a year because you falsely prophecy to the people. Within two months Hananiah died.
Why did Hananiah give false prophecies? A part of me doesn't want to believe he purposely wanted to give false prophecies. I am more inclined to believe he got caught up in arrogance and pride and that he lost focus of God and therefore was susceptible to false words from the devil. His arrogance allowed his mind to be captivated in saying words that could make him look good. Actually, not just look good, but look very impressive before the people and the priests, while believing what he said was really true. He gloried in the feedback of the people because it stroked his ego. He was concerned with his own Glory versus the glory of God.
It is hard to know what God is thinking even when you're on the right track with the Lord. Now add arrogance to your heart and you make it even more difficult to know the Lord's direction.
Some thoughts:
1) Stay connected daily to the Lord.
2) Don't even let a hint of pride in your heart because deception will soon follow.
3) Let all that you do be for the glory of God and not for your own glory.
BLESSINGS!!