Jeremiah 6:13-14 “From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.”

It is important to rely on fully trustworthy people. When we fail to do so, we run the risk of a great disaster. This is never more true than when it comes to spiritual matters. Words of peace and safety may feel comforting, but disaster awaits if they are false.

Recently, I purchased a crossbody purse. It has a long strap you slip over your head and shoulder, allowing the bag to lie securely on your chest. This offers a hands-free environment to carry out tasks. It’s great! But there’s one problem.

Whenever I start driving, the seatbelt warning bell rings halfway down the road. This confused me at first.

Then it struck me: I’d forgotten to put my seatbelt on because I thought I already had it on. The straps of the bag felt secure against my chest, creating the illusion that I was already fastened into the vehicle. I drove off thinking I was safe, but in reality I wasn’t.

If I had been in a serious crash, my body would have been thrown through the windshield, resulting in injury or death. No amount of secure feelings from the pressure of the handbag straps would keep me safe. I must have the seatbelt, created for that purpose, across my body and securely snapped into place if I wanted protection from an accident.

Jeremiah continually warned God’s people of impending doom due to their disregard for Him and His laws. Time and again this faithful prophet begged the people to repent and turn back to the Lord.

Instead, the rebels listened to the voices that told them what they wanted to hear.

Instead of warning against God’s wrath, lying prophets contradicted Jeremiah’s message and falsely reassured the sinners of peace and safety. Imagine the peoples’ surprise and terror when their false safety shattered and God’s word of punishment prevailed!

Before we think this warning was for a different time and is not applicable for modern times, we must remember that God’s word still speaks today. Many false teachers still gush words of peace, falsely assuring the world that God doesn’t exist or care what we do or say.

Like relying on a handbag strap to keep us safe from the danger of a serious car crash, so listening to the wrong people can bring us excruciating pain and certain doom. Just ask the foolish people of Israel who chose to trust the wrong prophet!

So, learn a lesson from the crossbody bag: false safety is no safety at all. Search the Scriptures, heed the warnings, and follow God’s ways. This is how to avert disaster and find peace and safety in the days ahead.