Jeremiah relates some harsh words directed at the prophets.

Jer 23:16
This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.

Sounds like some “powder puff preachers” today.

God says the false prophets have not stood in His council. They have spoken words in their own power. How do we know when spiritual leaders speak words from the Lord? We must be a Berean.

Acts 17:11
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

If the Bereans checked to see if what Paul said was true, shouldn’t we check to see if spiritual leaders are speaking the truth? We must however be familiar with the Monument of Truth, God’s Word, His entire Word! It is only through familiarity with His Word that we are able to discern whether or not spiritual leaders are speaking the truth.