In Jeremiah, chapter five, verse twelve, “They have belied the LORD, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:” The temptation is always strong to believe that God will overlook our sins and not send the judgment about which the word warns. Many of God’s people tend to claim the promises but doubt the warnings.
There are church-goers that will hear a message of warning from a true servant of God, but will think because they see a minister, it is not Jehovah who speaks. The people of God listened to the prophet’s warnings as if they came from himself only, and brought with them no certainty of the “sword” or “famine” which they foretold. Perhaps, however, the words refer also to the denial that Jehovah was working in the sufferings that fell upon the people, or even to a more entire denial, like that of the fool in Psalm fourteen, verse one. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”
There are Christians today in the world who love to hear only good things about blessings, prosperity, and messages that will make them laugh, smile, and jokes from the preacher that will make them feel good. However, we are in the time as in Second Timothy four, verses three to four, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” Loving parents will raise their kids with love, giving them good talk, but will also give solid warnings.