Have you ever felt stuck between two competing but contradictory voices?
One voice says, “God wants you happy and comfortable—this trial will be over soon!” while another voice shouts, “This hardship has purpose. God is working in your soul—don’t be impatient!”
Whose voice are you listening to?
We live in a world of competing narratives. Scroll through your social media feed or visit a few churches and you will hear wildly different takes on what God is doing in the world. Some are preaching breakthrough and blessing. Others are calling for repentance and refinement. And both sides are claiming to speak for God.
This is nothing new. In fact, this is exactly what was happening in the days of Jeremiah.
Setting the Scene: When Two Prophets Disagreed (Jeremiah 28)
Jeremiah 28 takes place in Jerusalem when the city is in crisis. Babylon has taken captives. The temple treasures have been taken. Fear is in the air. It’s not a good time to be in Jerusalem. Enter a prophet named Hananiah with a feel-good message: “Within two years, everything will be restored. God is going to fix this.”
The people are encouraged. Who wouldn’t want to believe that?
Enter Jeremiah, the “weeping prophet.” He is not smiling. He is wearing an ox yoke on his neck to show submission to Babylon. And his response is anything but happy talk:
“Amen… may it be so. But remember, all the prophets before us—Moses, Elijah, Samuel—they came with hard words. Words of repentance. If your words are from God, time will tell.”
It’s a showdown between comfort and conviction. Cozy message vs. hard truth.
A Tale as Old as Time
Two Kinds of Voices (Ever since the Garden of Eden). This is the tension we find ourselves in still today:
The voice that promises peace without change.
The voice that calls for change before peace.
One voice that tickles the ears and One voice that transforms the heart.
We are bombarded with messages from pulpits, podcasts, and prophetic posts. Some make us feel good. Others make us sit up and take notice. But not all who speak in God’s name are speaking God’s truth.
So how do we know the difference?
4 Ways to Discern a True Word from God
Drawing from Jeremiah’s example in chapter 28, here are four ways to discern which voice truly reflects God’s heart:
1. Don’t Let Popularity Determine Truth
“The time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine… but turn away from truth.” (2 Timothy 4:3–4)
Just because a message goes viral doesn’t mean it’s from God. Hananiah’s message was the crowd favorite—but it wasn’t true.
Ask yourself: Does this message comfort me or convict me?
2. Test the Message and the Messenger
“To the law and to the testimony! If they don’t speak according to this word, there’s no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20)
A true word from God will align with God’s Word and God’s character. Look at the fruit of the person’s life. Are they humble, submitted, and grounded in Scripture?
3. Wait for the Fruit
“By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:16)
Truth stands the test of time. Hananiah was proven false within a year. Jeremiah’s words endured. Don’t be quick to jump on a “prophetic” bandwagon. Watch what it produces—humility, repentance, and transformation or pride and confusion?
4. Ask the Hard Questions
“Does this message make me more like Christ—or just more comfortable?”
Truth often wounds before it heals. It calls us to lay down our preferences and take up our cross. When a message feels “too easy,” pause and ask, Is this helping me grow—or just keeping me comfortable?
Jesus: The Voice We Can Trust
This all comes to a head in the life of Jesus—the ultimate prophet.
He came not just to comfort but to transform. His message? “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)
Like Jeremiah, Jesus was rejected. He called out hypocrisy. He wept over unrepentant hearts. He was the voice of truth—and the world tried to silence Him.
But He rose. And today, He calls His Church to carry that same prophetic voice—not chasing popularity, but truth. Not softening the gospel, but speaking it in love.
Whose Voice Are You Listening To?
In a world of noise, we need discernment.
Will you follow the voice that offers comfort without conviction?
Or will you lean into the One who calls you to deeper transformation?
God is still speaking—through His Word, His Spirit, and His people.
Let’s be a people who know the difference between noise and truth.
Let’s follow the voice that leads not just to peace, but to repentance and renewal.
Let’s hunger not just for comfort—but for Christ.
Reflection Questions:
What voices have shaped your view of God recently?
Are there any “Hananiah-style” messages you’ve embraced that need to be tested?
How might you make more space to listen for God’s true voice in your life?
