(Pipe)-Dreaming Prophets

Aim: To listen to God's servants, and dismiss deceivers.

Doctrine: In the spiritual realm, not all that glitters is gold. Even the devil may ''dream;'' all religious truth claims must be subjected to the Bible.

Exegesis: The delusions of (pipe)-dreaming prophets: they think God ''winks'' at their deceit (vv. 23-27); they think they are equal with God's true servants (vv. 28-29); they think their passion will excuse their sin (vv. 30-32).

Further application: How to discern between God's ''dreams'' and Satan's ''nightmares'': does the ''dream'' exalt Christ, and build-up His church? Does the ''dream'' humble sinners, and extol free grace?

Key verses: vv. 24b-25 ''Do I not fill heaven and earth?' declares the LORD. 'I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ''I have dreamed, I have dreamed!'''''