Isaiah hit the nail on the head with what many are looking for in our day. Isaiah 30:10, “Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.” Some translations say that like this, “Don’t tell us what is right, tell us only good things, lie to us.” In other words, don’t tell me anything that may make me feel bad, tickle my ears, tell me how good I am, and that only good things will happen to me. How sad that people would rather believe a lie and be damned than hear the truth.

The false prophets in the days of Jeremiah prophesied peace because that’s what the king wanted to hear. Only Jeremiah had the courage to warn of impending destruction if they did not repent and turn back to God. Jeremiah was right, and the false prophets were wrong. But the false prophets were rewarded, and Jeremiah was cast into a pit. People today are no different; they would rather hear what they want to hear than accept what God is truly saying.

2 Peter 2:1-3, “But false prophets also appeared among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their indecent behavior, and because of them, the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed, they will exploit you with false words.”

Peter used one word that is at the heart of many, if not most, of the false prophets of our day: “greed.” They will preach destructive heresies and live indecently, yet are applauded by those more interested in listening to soothing words rather than hearing the truth.

We see how greed can influence a prophet in the case of Balaam. God spoke explicitly to him, but Balaam blatantly disobeyed God. Peter addressed this in verse 15, “They have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.”

The lure of fame, popularity, and riches have caused many to depart from the ways of godliness and holiness.