Jeremiah 23:31

Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.

Jeremiah 23:31 (KJV)

Context

Jeremiah 23:31 belongs to a larger indictment against the false prophets of Judah during a time of impending judgment. The verse immediately before it condemns prophets who steal words from one another (Jeremiah 23:30), and the verse that follows condemns those who prophesy false dreams and lead God’s people astray with reckless lies (Jeremiah 23:32). Together, these verses reveal a pattern of false prophecy: stealing words, speaking from their own tongues, and fabricating dreams.

Meaning

The verse opens with a strong declaration of divine opposition: “Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord.” This is not a new category of prophets but the same false prophets described in the surrounding context, against whom God sets His face. The specific charge is that they “use their tongues, and say, He saith.” The Hebrew idiom, rendered in various translations as “wag their own tongues” or “make smooth their tongue,” indicates that these prophets spoke at their own pleasure, as if their lips were their own. They claimed to deliver a divine oracle—”He saith” or “The Lord declares“—but they were merely speaking their own thoughts and presenting them as if they came from God.

The seriousness of this sin lies in the misuse of God’s name and the deception of His people. The unauthorized claim to speak for God is a form of taking the Lord’s name in vain. God desires truth and righteousness, and He will not acknowledge teaching that originates from human invention rather than divine revelation.

Biblical connections

This verse underscores a principle that appears throughout Scripture: God holds those who claim to speak for Him to a high standard of faithfulness and truth. Jeremiah stands as a true prophet delivering God’s authentic message, while the false prophets speak presumptuously from their own imaginations.

Application

This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of discernment and the need to test the spirits. It cautions against blindly accepting any message or teaching claiming to be from God. For believers today, Jeremiah 23:31 encourages vigilance in discerning the authenticity of spiritual messages and teachings. We should compare what is being preached or taught with the principles and truths revealed in God’s Word, the Bible. It reminds us that God opposes those who use their tongues to deceive and spread falsehoods.

Reflection

God’s opposition to the false prophets is a sobering reminder that He takes His name and His word seriously. Those who speak on His behalf carry a weighty responsibility. As believers, we are called to be discerning and to seek the truth of God’s Word in all matters, trusting that God desires truth and righteousness and will not acknowledge teaching that originates from human invention rather than divine revelation.