“In
almost every generation there are both true voices and false. How can one
discern between the two?
The
question cannot be comprehensively answered by referring to only one passage.
For instance Deuteronomy 13 provides one framework that should be carefully
thought through, but it is not the only one. Here in Ezekiel 13 the matter is
cast not so much as a set of points to help the righteous discern between true
prophet and false, but a denunciation of all that is false. In doing so God
provides a partial profile of false prophets.
(1)
False prophets speak out of their own spirit, out of their own imaginations.
They may think they have something form the Lord, but they do not. “Their
visions are false and their divinations a lie” (13:6). This is not so much a
principle that the onlooker can use, as a warning to the false prophets
themselves. False prophets may deceive other people, they never deceive God.
And it is to God that we will one day have to give an account (13:8-9).
(2)
They do not deal with fundamental issues of sin, corruption, injustice, and
covenantal faithfulness. To use the metaphor of a walled city, instead of
repairing the ‘wall’ they merely cover it with whitewash, so that it looks
sturdy enough to the casual observer even though it is hopelessly compromised.
“You have not gone up to the breaks in the wall to repair it for the house of
Israel so that it will stand form in the battle on the day of the Lord” (13:5),
Ezekiel writes. A good storm strips away the whitewash and discloses the
horrible weakness. The false prophets deal in omens and end-times fancies and
promises of revival, but they do not declare the holiness of God and the
odiousness of sin; they fail to bring people to repentance, faith and
obedience.
(3)
They are more interested in auguries, telling personal fortunes, serving as
‘prophetic’ personal hope-spinners, than in conveying the word of the Lord.
They are not really serious people-except for their seriousness when it comes
to getting paid (13:17-19).
(4)
One of the larger effects they have is to discourage the genuine people of God.
Too many false voices in a culture and many people become confused,
disheartened, disoriented. Instead of maintaining a moral standard that
reinforces righteousness, builds character, and encourages godliness, these
people pronounce their curses and taboos on people God Himself has not
condemned, and exonerate the wicked so that they do not turn from their evil
ways and so save their lives (13:20-23).
Where
in our culture do these characteristics thrive? Where do they thrive in the
professing church?”
-D.A.
Carson Theologian and Professor 1946-
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