The Dangers of Denying God’s Truth

**Title: "The Dangers of Denying God’s Truth"**

**Scripture: Jeremiah 5:12 (NKJV) -**

*"They have lied about the LORD, And said, 'It is not He. Neither will evil come upon us, Nor shall we see sword or famine.'"*

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### Introduction

The prophet Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet" because of his deep anguish over the sins of Israel and their impending judgment. In Jeremiah 5:12, we find a stern warning: the people have chosen to lie about the Lord, denying His power, His warnings, and His judgment. This verse speaks to a deep spiritual problem, one that is not only ancient but very much present in our world today.

### 1. **The Lie About God’s Sovereignty**

The first thing we notice is that *"They have lied about the LORD."*

- **Denial of God’s Authority**: The people of Judah were not simply misinformed; they chose to deny God's authority and His involvement in their lives. They wanted to believe in a God who would not judge, a God who would not intervene. This is a deliberate rejection of God's truth.

- **Modern-Day Application**: Today, we see similar attitudes. Many people want a God who only offers blessings but not correction, who gives comfort without conviction. They lie about the Lord when they redefine Him according to their desires rather than His revealed truth.

- **Question for Reflection**: How often do we create a version of God that fits our preferences rather than submitting to His true character as revealed in Scripture?

### 2. **The False Assurance of Safety**

The people said, *“It is not He. Neither will evil come upon us.”*

- **Denial of Judgment**: The people believed that because they were God's chosen nation, no harm would come their way. They had a false sense of security, thinking that God's patience was a sign of His indifference to their sin.

- **Complacency and Comfort**: This mindset bred complacency. They ignored the prophetic warnings of Jeremiah because it was more comfortable to believe that everything would be fine. They dismissed the possibility of judgment.

- **Modern Parallels**: Today, many live with the same false assurance. They assume that as long as they are "good people" by society's standards, God will overlook their sin. There is a widespread belief that God’s love means He will never bring about judgment or allow hardship.

- **Reflection**: Do we take God’s patience for granted? Are we mistaking His mercy as a sign that He will never bring judgment?

### 3. **The Consequence of Ignorance**

Finally, they say, *“Nor shall we see sword or famine.”*

- **Ignoring the Signs of the Times**: Despite the warnings given by God through His prophets, the people refused to believe that any disaster would come upon them. They were blind to the signs of their own impending destruction.

- **Spiritual Blindness**: This verse highlights a spiritual blindness and arrogance. The people thought they could continue in their sin without consequence. This is the height of deception—believing that we can live contrary to God's will and escape His discipline.

- **The Danger of Self-Deception**: In the New Testament, Jesus warned against the same attitude. He spoke of people who would be unprepared for His return, like those in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-39). They went about their daily lives, ignoring the looming judgment until it was too late.

- **Personal Reflection**: Are we aware of the spiritual state of our own hearts? Do we see the warnings God places in our lives, or are we ignoring them, thinking we are safe?

### 4. **The Call to Repentance and Truth**

- **God's Mercy in Warning**: It’s important to understand that the warnings of Jeremiah were not just messages of doom but calls to repentance. God, in His mercy, sent prophets like Jeremiah to give the people a chance to turn back to Him.

- **Repentance as the Key to Restoration**: The solution to this problem is repentance. To repent means to turn away from the lies we believe about God and return to the truth of His word. It means acknowledging our sins, seeking His forgiveness, and committing to live according to His ways.

- **Invitation to Respond**: Today, God is calling us to examine our hearts. Are there areas where we have lied about God, where we have denied His authority, or ignored His warnings? If so, we must repent and seek His forgiveness.

### Conclusion

Jeremiah 5:12 is a sobering reminder that we cannot afford to lie about the Lord or live in denial of His truth. Ignoring God's warnings and living in false security leads to destruction. But in His great mercy, God offers us a way out through repentance. He desires not to punish but to restore, to bring us back into right relationship with Him.

Let us not be like those who say, *“It is not He,”* but rather, let us be people who recognize God's hand in our lives and respond to His call with humility and repentance. May we live in the truth of who God is, acknowledging His sovereignty, His justice, and His grace.

**Prayer**:

Lord, forgive us for the times we have lied about You and created a false image of who You are. Help us to see the truth of Your Word and respond with genuine repentance. May we never take Your mercy for granted, but live in the light of Your truth, always ready to turn back to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.