Deuteronomy Chapter 13: Verses 1-4 (NIV-UK)
If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, ‘Let us follow other gods’ (gods you have not known) ‘and let us worship them,’ you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.
1 John 4:1(NIV-UK)
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
What struck me today in this reading from Deuteronomy was the fact that Moses warned the people that they would see or experience things that on first appearance would seem to be right, but would actually be an attempt to lead people astray. John spoke of something similar in his letter.
We too may come across things that may seem perfectly right and proper, but may not be as they seem. They may not be part of God’s plan for us. That’s why we need to know the word of God really well, and learn to recognise a nudge from the Holy Spirit. We may also feel in our own spirit that something is just not right. It wont necessarily be a sign or a wonder, as in the example that Moses gives. It can be anything at all that seems perfectly justified but actually is not from God.
In this modern age that can be one of many things that might seem ok, and might even be accepted by some parts of the church, but that doesn’t mean that they are acceptable to God. So we need to be wise. And if we are familiar with the truth of the Bible, we will be able to recognise anything that seems to be in conflict with its teaching. No matter how right or justified something seems, if it conflicts with God’s teaching, it should be avoided. And if we’re not sure, all we need to do is ask God. He won’t leave us wondering or confused. Paul told the Corinthian Church that “God is not the author of confusion but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33) So if we feel uneasy about anything we would be wise to bring the matter before God.
Dear Lord,
I am so grateful that You never leave us unsure or confused about the direction we should go. Help me to recognise the things that are perhaps not as they appear that are not part of Your ways. Help me to take a stand when I need to and revere and obey You as Moses taught the Israelites. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.