The Consequences of Stolen Words

The Bible speaks often of stealing. In its various forms the word "steal" appears 44 times in the Bible (not to mention other similar words such as rob, covet, etc.). Regardless of the object, stealing is seen to be wrong. It takes from another by stealth, cunning or force what is rightfully his. Obviously, God disapproves of stealing.

There is an interesting passage in Jeremiah involving this idea of stealing. As with other such thoughts, this one condemns the thief. However, what makes the passage so interesting is the object said to be stolen and the one who did the stealing. The object was God's words, and the thieves were those who claimed to be prophets. The passage reads: "Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbor" (Jeremiah 23:30).

When considered in our modern setting there are still those claiming to be "prophets" who "steal my words." They can be seen on television, heard on the radio and read from in print media. they claim to be spokesmen for God, yet their teachings are foreign to His Word. Since they substitute their own words they, in essence, steal God's. The results of such actions are devastating. Not only are they themselves either ignorant, deceived, or dishonest, they endanger the souls of those who would hear and follow their teachings.

Those "prophets" of Jeremiah's day were false prophets and spoke erroneously. they convinced the ignorant, gullible and hard-hearted of the truthfulness of their words to the detriment of their lives. Numerous are the "false prophets" of our day who likewise speak falsely. Sadly, they convince many to follow them, to the detriment of of their souls. Perhaps Peter said it best: "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. and many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of" (2 Peter 2:1-2).

To be certain, the condemnation of God rests upon those who "steal his words."

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