Jeremiah 7:4

Do not trust in deceptive words, saying, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord”.

In April of 1912 the Titanic set sail on its maiden voyage from Southampton England. Spirits were high and people felt privileged to be on such a monumental ship. The travelers had confidence that nothing could go wrong. It was hailed by all as the “unsinkable ship”.

They were convinced and had full surety they would reach their destination. Unfortunately, as we all know this was a misplaced trust. Those boarding that ship had a false sense of security.

Similarly, in this passage from Jeremiah we see the same false sense of security taking place. The Israelites were being told by false prophets and leaders that the destruction and judgment that Jeremiah was prophesying about would never come to pass. They were convinced that because they were God’s chosen people and keepers of the temple of God that such devastation would never befall them. The Israelites were trusting in the fact that just because they once walked rightly with God, they were secure, and that God would not judge them for rebelling. The people took God’s favor for granted and told themselves, “We are untouchable, we are descendants of Abraham, God’s chosen nation”. As we see in Scripture, they were sadly mistaken. God held them accountable for all their deeds; the temple and their traditions could not save them.

In the book of Matthew, John the Baptist says to the Jewish people, “Therefore bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance; and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you, that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. And the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Just as the Israelites could not rely on their heritage and sacred buildings to sustain communion with God, we as Christians must not believe that we can rely and depend on privileges we have received. Being born into a Christian family or attending a local church will not please God in and of itself. People – even Christian people – seek security in different ways, especially material objects. We should not deceive ourselves into thinking God will overlook our sin when we are unrepentant of it. It is dangerous to think that we are special or that we get a pass from God because we feel safe and secure in the beliefs, we’ve become comfortable with, even if they have the appearance of godliness. The Bible warns “Do not be deceived. God is not mocked; a man will reap what he sows”. God desires the heart of a person, coupled with a genuine faith that trusts in Him alone. We should not be depending on delusions and securities we have conjured up in our minds.

1 Peter 4:17 says, “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God”.

Despite all the people in the world telling us that we are fine, that there is no danger, or that God would not punish us, there is no escaping God’s judgment. No matter who we presume to be, or what group we are a part of, God holds no regard for our status or possessions. God shows no partiality.

Heb 4:13 says “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are laid open and bare before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Therefore, one must truly examine their own life to see that they have not put their trust and hope in the wrong place. By trusting in any means other than God, one is deceived and falls into a false sense of security and separates themselves from a true relationship with God. The Lord alone is the only One a person can depend on for full assurance in all matters. God wants all of us – our heart, soul and mind. He knows when He doesn’t have our entirety. So let us not have reliance on anything other than the Lord Himself, but cast off all deceptive beliefs and objects that would keep us from Him.