Prophecy and the Word

Does God take issue with all the noise in the land? Does God have a problem with all those who claim to be prophesying in his name? What should we do when multitudes of men and women are crying out, "Thus says the Lord?"

A Serious Indictment
"Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land (Ho. 4:1 KJV)."

I've heard many speak of the darkness covering our land. I've read articles speaking of the iniquity which so captivates the inhabitants of this land.

Hosea 4:1 speaks clearly of God having a problem with the inhabitants of Israel in his day. Does this same controversy apply to us today? Yes, it does. Look around you. Where is truth? Where is mercy? Where is the knowledge of God in this land?

Want of Truth In the Land
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD (Amos 8:11 KJV)."

Are we experiencing a famine of the Word of God in our land today? America is being flooded with prophets speaking all manner of words from judgment and damnation to incredible prosperity and wealth. They all claim, "Thus says the Lord."

How can so many prophesy with such diversity? How can so many fall prey to so many words? Could it be there's a famine of the true Word of God in this land? Could it be because so many really don't know the true Word?

Jesus said the Scriptures tell us of him (Jn. 5:39). Paul admonishes us to study the Word (2Ti. 2:15). Why? So we, you and I, can correctly divide the Word of Truth. The word divide, or dividing, means to expound correctly. Expound means explain. We are to study the Scriptures so we can explain the Word of Truth. 

Who, or what, is the Word of Truth? "In the beginning was the Word (Jn. 1:1 KJV)." Jesus Christ is the Word of Truth. Period. How can we lay claim to knowing the Word of Truth when we don't know Scripture? How can we know Scripture without reading it? How can we know truth if Truth isn't in our hearts?

Try the Spirits, Believe the Spirit
The Apostle John tells us to not believe every spirit, but try them to see if they're of God or not (1Jn, 4:1). When somebody says, "Thus says the Lord," it must be in alignment with Scripture. If "thus says God" doesn't line up with the Word, the one speaking is a false prophet.

I encourage all who believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, to get into the Scriptures. Feast on them. Hide them in your heart. It is the knowledge of the Word which will allow you to discern between truth and fable. God bless...