How do we know if we have said what God told us to say? One explained it this way, “When the congregation says, ‘Away with this man, he doesn’t deserve to live,’ then he has preached the whole counsel of God. I don’t remember that happening to me (even if some thought it).
Jeremiah said what God told him to and the people of Judah wanted to put him to death. He had the nerve to question the nation. This did not play well in Jerusalem. They did not want any preacher to tell them they were in trouble with God or that he might judge the temple as he had the previous place of worship in Shiloh. They had already incarcerated and killed other prophets for doing so. Jesus would later say, “Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets.”
To this day, so many people have opinions about what preachers should say. In the end, we serve an audience of One. What does God want us to say? Do we have the courage to say it?
Paul predicted that in the last days, people would have itching ears, gathering preachers who would tell them what they wanted to hear. We have an endless need to be entertained. Jeremiah was persecuted for preaching the truth. But he pleased God. Pray for those who preach in our city, country, and world, that we will speak only what God tells us to say. Pray for our listeners that they will receive God’s truth, even if it is painful.
The truth can be uncomfortable, but be it understood: the truth will not harm you, unless, of course, it should. A convicting word from God’s word may turn our hearts toward the repentance which will ultimately lead to our healing. Do we have ears to hear?
