Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph 4:14-16, NIV)
A parallel passage is found in the book of Jeremiah.
Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?" declares the LORD. "Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? (Jer 23:28-29 NIV).
The prophets in Israel abused their position, prophesied falsely, which led the whole land being filled with ungodliness. Instead of calling people to repentance, they flattered the people with their words, promised peace whereas God had warned the people about the impending destruction of Jerusalem.
Therefore," declares the LORD, "I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. Yes," declares the LORD, "I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, 'The LORD declares.' Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams," declares the LORD. "They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least," declares the LORD (Jer 23:30-32 NIV).
The prophets didn't benefit the people because they led the people away from truth, from worshiping God. Just as it was then, so it is now: God has given us some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers (Eph 4:11-12 NIV), that we may become mature, filled with all knowledge that is found in Christ.
But if they had stood in my council,
they would have proclaimed my words to my people
and would have turned them from their evil ways
and from their evil deeds (Jer 23:22 NIV).
When teachers speak their own words instead of God's words; when they claim God has given them a message while they speak lies, people will remain infants, easily deceived and unable to discern the truth. But when teachers listen to God, and speak his words, people grow in knowledge, they become strong, mature, able to discern the truth. Such people are ready to serve others, and bring more people to the knowledge and grace of God.
Deceivers will come and deceptions will abound. Some will choose to live as the rest of the world does, but those who speak the truth in love will grow into the head, Christ, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden (Col 2:2-4). As we grow into Christ, we will be filled with all knowledge until we reach the fullness of knowledge. When we have been filled with all knowledge, we will have gained all we need to live godly lives.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires (2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV).
Yet, knowledge alone isn't enough. We need the power of God to rightly use our knowledge, for knowledge alone puffs up, just as power without knowledge corrupts.
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light (Col 1:10-13 NIV).
When we have both, we become more than conquerors, as neither false prophets or false teachers will be able to persuade us to depart from God and the life of righteousness.
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