An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; My people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?
Jeremiah 5:30-31

In Jeremiah’s day, much the same as in ours, there were false prophets and false teachers who deceived the people, contradicting God’s Word with lies and twisted reasoning. Their false teachings were immensely popular because they fit right in with what people wanted to hear. They told people that the sins they wanted to enjoy were perfectly acceptable behavior and there would be no consequences if they indulged in them.

The religious establishment - the priests who ran the Temple - were more concerned with being popular and keeping their social position than teaching the unpopular truth of God’s Word, so they went along with the false teaching.

But God’s Word doesn’t respond to popular trends. Right is always right, wrong is always wrong, and there are consequences to the choices we make.

When God in His mercy withholds those consequences, giving us time to repent, we often think that we’ve gotten away with our rebellion. But then God asks, ”What will you do when the end comes?”

Don’t wait to find out. Heed God’s unchanging Word. Respond in genuine repentance and cling to His promise of grace and forgiveness while there’s still time.

Lord God, forgive me for listening to the lies of corrupt teachers who tell me that behavior that You condemn is normal, acceptable, and safe. Deliver me from the entangling web of darkness and set me free from it. Lead me in the good and right way, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles