Scripture Reference: Deuteronomy 12-13; 18:9-22

6. Honoring God’s Word – Continued

Please read Deuteronomy 18:9-22 for the background to this section.

The identification of true prophets (verses 20–22). Moses promised that there would be prophets sent by God to Israel to teach them what they needed to know, but the logical question people would ask was, “How can we distinguish a true prophet from a false prophet?” Moses had already told them that everything a prophet says and does must be tested by the Word of God (Deuteronomy 13:1–5), and he repeated that warning. “But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die” (Deuteronomy 18:20). This test was valid even if the prophet’s prediction came true or if he performed signs and wonders. But the ultimate test is that God’s true prophets are always 100 percent accurate (Deuteronomy 18:22). Modern day “prophets” boast of being 75 percent accurate, or maybe 80 percent, but that admission only brands them as false prophets. A prophet sent by God is never wrong; what he predicts will come to pass.

Believers today must exercise spiritual discernment because “many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1–6). John makes it clear that the first test of a true minister of the Word is the confession that Jesus Christ came in the flesh and is indeed the Son of God. When you listen to a teacher who is truly God’s servant, the Spirit dwelling in your heart will respond to the Word being taught (1 John 2:18–27). The message will be true to the Scriptures and will exalt Jesus Christ.

For a vivid description of false teachers and their methods, read 1 Timothy 4; 2 Timothy 3; 2 Peter 2; and the Epistle of Jude. The closer we come to the return of Christ, the more false prophets and false teachers will appear on the scene (Matthew 24:3–5, 23–27). Today it seems there are so many claiming “new” revelations, so we are definitely in the times the Scriptures speak of.

Moses has been focusing on the true worship of the Lord, a subject that’s very important to the church today. Over the years, my wife and I have attended formal worship services in grand churches as well as informal meetings in homes and even out-of-doors, and our hearts have been blessed. The important thing is not the culture or the setting but that we worship the Lord “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). True worship comes from within, from a heart totally yielded to the Lord, and true worship is controlled by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God (Ephesians 5:18–21; Colossians 3:16–20). Our subjective feelings must be monitored by Scripture and motivated by the Spirit, otherwise we may be engaging in false worship. False worship is dangerous because it may open the door to demonic influences. Satan is a counterfeiter (2 Corinthians 11:13–15) who knows how to lead undiscerning people away from Christ and the truth. They think they’re filled with the Spirit when they’re really fooled by the spirits.

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen” (1 John 5:21).

Adapted and modified excerpts from Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Equipped, “Be” Commentary Series.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.