The Demand for Smooth Things

 "That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of the LORD; who say to the seers, 'Do not see,' and to the prophets, 'Do not prophesy to us right things; speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.'" Isaiah 30:9-10

Not only in Isaiah’s time, but throughout all ages, including now, those who love sin and refuse to listen to God's Word say the same thing. Today, too, people often reject the truth, preferring to hear comforting, smooth words—even lies. The Apostle Paul foresaw this for our time: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." (2 Timothy 4:3)

Those who love sin hate the light and avoid it, so their deeds are not exposed (John 3:20). They don’t want sermons that sober, warn, or rebuke; they resist messages that expose lies and teach truth. Instead, they want to hear that all is well, that one can reach heaven without holiness, that strictly following God’s Word is fanaticism or legalism, that details aren’t important, and that walking the narrow path, denying oneself, or separating from the world isn’t necessary. They prefer messages that say it's impossible not to sin or that following man-made doctrines is acceptable so long as they avoid being labeled as “sectarian” or facing persecution.

Such people reject scriptural truth because they prefer the praise of men over the praise of God (John 12:43). They cannot bear to be confronted with the truth in Scripture.

Those who preach falsehoods bring destruction upon themselves and lead their listeners into destruction as well. As Spurgeon said, such preachers do not feed the sheep; rather, they entertain the goats.

In contrast, those with sincere hearts long to hear truth that reproves and frees them from sin. They reject deception and, like the Bereans, examine everything they hear and read, comparing it with the Holy Scriptures and rejecting anything that does not align with the Bible. They examine themselves like David and ask the Lord to search their heart, to see if they are not on a wicked way (Psalm 139).

Many preach smooth things, and many listen eagerly. But those who proclaim the uncompromised Word of God are few, and their listeners are also few. These belong to the “little flock” Jesus spoke of, who have chosen the narrow gate and the narrow way.

Four hundred prophets told King Ahab what he wanted to hear, but only Micaiah, the true prophet, delivered the Word of God, which displeased the king. Ahab chose to listen to falsehoods that pleased him—and he perished as a result (1 Kings 22:1-37; 2 Chronicles 18:1-34).

Praise the Lord that, as in all ages, there are still preachers of truth who, despite the demand for smooth things, remain faithful to the Word of God.

From my diary,

October 31, 2024