Jeremiah 23:16–32: Discerning False Prophets in a World of Many Voices

I found myself reading Jeremiah 23:16-32 a little over a month ago, and I have felt so heavily in my heart that I needed to share with you what I have observed, and I have put it off for far too long, so here it is, and I pray it helps you as much as it has helped me.

In this scripture, Jeremiah 23:16, God gives a strong warning to His people back then and to his people now…us;

 “This is what the Lord Almighty says:

 Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you;

 they fill you with false hopes.

 They speak visions from their own minds,

 not from the mouth of the Lord.”

The Danger of False Prophets and false propheric words (Jeremiah 23:16–17)

There are people who pretend to be prophets, and there are prophets who either knowingly or unknowingly deceive others by sharing words God has not asked them to share. This was true in Jeremiah’s time, and it’s still true today. God is against such people because their words lead others astray.

The people Jeremiah was addressing were a people surrounded by prophets who claimed to speak in God’s name. Yet their message contradicted God’s true call. Instead of warning the people of judgment and urging them back to obedience, these prophets offered easy reassurance: “You will have peace… No harm will come to you”(Jeremiah 23:17).

The problem wasn’t only the deception, but the source. They weren’t speaking God’s words; they were speaking their own imagination. Not every spiritual-sounding message comes from God. Some reflect human desires, ego, or even deliberate manipulation.

And this is where discernment becomes crucial. Today, you only need to scroll through YouTube or TikTok to see “prophetic words” filling people’s timelines. And once you click on one of those videos, guess what, it's now a part of your algorithm, and more of those videos start popping up. What I noticed is that many of these videos will have similar, if not the exact same title...word for word. I am talking copy and paste with zero shame. Some of the “prophetic voices” on YouTube specifically have even accused some of stealing or copying their prophetic messages. If one chooses to listen to prophetic words on social media or even in church, caution must be exercised.

Another danger of relying too heavily on these “prophetic words” is that they can cause delay in our lives. Imagine your algorithm keeps serving you videos declaring, for instance, “This is your season of rest,” or "God says it's your time to move." yet in reality, God may be calling you to step out, take action on certain things, and pursue what He has aligned for you in this season or He may simply be asking you to stay right where you are. If you take those videos at face value, you might end up chilling or making the wrong moves instead of seeking God’s direction through prayer and/or reading the Bible. And if or when that happens, God can’t partner with you in the things He has already set in motion for your life, because you’ve chosen to wait when He’s actually asking you to move.

A Word That Burns and Breaks  (Jeremiah 23:29)

In contrast to these empty promises, God describes His word in powerful imagery: “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” (v.29).

True prophecy is not meant to keep us comfortable in sin, disobedience, or inaction. God’s word gives life...it convicts us in order to purify us, and realign our hearts with Him. Ego-led “prophetic words” soothe the ears, but God’s word transforms lives.

Don’t get me wrong, there are genuine prophetic voices online and in our churches. I’ve personally come across words that brought me comfort and peace right when I needed them. But I’ve also had times when I saw a “prophetic word” promising God’s goodness, took it as fact, and ended up disappointed when it didn’t come to pass because I didn't seek Him directly for confirmation and direction. And this is the biggest danger I’ve learned of trusting these videos without asking God for discernment.

These prophetic videos are often general; they’re not made specifically for whoever's timeline it shows up on. In fact, some of these prophetic voices openly admit they don’t know who the word is for, and many encourage viewers to take the word back to God to confirm if it applies to them specifically. And that’s why discernment is so important, because it helps us separate what is simply noise...led by human desires from what is truly God’s word for our lives.

Counterfeit vs. Authentic (Jeremiah 23:30–32)

The Lord also speaks against prophets who steal each other’s words and claim them as His own. This highlights the difference between borrowed, secondhand slogans and the living, Spirit-breathed word of God.

God alone gives dreams and visions that align with His truth, and everyone can have access to that by His grace…we need only ask.

Application: A Call to Discernment

Like I mentioned earlier, there is an urgent need to discern God’s true word in a world full of noise. I’ve noticed on YouTube that many prophetic videos carry nearly identical titles: “This is your month of justice,” or “Your season of rest has come.” While some of these words might be true and even comforting, they can just as easily appeal to our desires rather than align with God’s timing and where He has us in our lives.

Jeremiah 23:16–32 challenges us in three practical ways:

1. Guard Your Ears 

   Not every voice deserves your attention. God tells His people not to listen to deceptive words (v.16). For us today, that means practicing discernment with sermons, teachings/teachers of the word, and online “prophetic” voices. Some have this natural gift of discernment, and some can ask God for it, and He will give it without fail.

2. Seek the Word That Transforms 

   God’s word, though sometimes uncomfortable, heals and restores us (v.29). We should welcome conviction, knowing it leads to life. It's hard at times, but it's for our highest good. And God, in His mercy and grace, made it so easy for us that we can pray for the strength to move past ego and discomfort, stepping into the transformation God has prepared for us.

3. Pursue Authenticity 

   God is against imitation and empty repetition (v.30–32). He wants His people to carry His genuine word. This means spending time in Scripture and prayer, letting His Spirit speak directly to us instead of relying on borrowed words.

   
   

This passage in Jeremiah reminds us that the struggle with false prophets is not just a thing of the past. It is just as real today. Technology has made voices more accessible than ever. Some seek fame, others validation, and a few genuinely seek to glorify Jesus. With so many voices everywhere, it can be hard to know who truly carries God’s heart.

But the Spirit that is at work within us gives discernment. We are not left helpless. If we lean into God’s guidance, we won’t be easily led astray.

As I share this with you, it is a reminder to myself as well, to seek the kingdom of God first nd above all other voices.

Say this Prayer with me

Father, I thank You for Your word.

Thank You for Your grace and fresh revelation.

Lord, I ask for an increase in discernment, help me to recognize Your truth and the true representatives of it. May I not be led astray, and may I not lead others astray through the words I speak.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Related Scriptures for Further Study

• Matthew 7:15–20 

  Jesus warns about false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are wolves.

• 1 John 4:1 

  “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…”

• 2 Timothy 4:3–4 

  A time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine but will gather teachers who say what their itching ears want to hear.

• Ezekiel 13:6–9 

  God rebukes prophets who declare visions that did not come from Him.

• Acts 17:11

  The Bereans examined the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true.

Till the next one...Be blessed!