Deuteronomy 13

Here Moses reminds them that they’re going to be surrounded by nations that don’t follow God. They need to guard against being enticed to idolatry. If a prophet encourages them to turn away, or says something that isn’t true or doesn’t come to pass, then they need to stone that prophet. And even if a whole city turns away, the punishment is the same. Any and all things that could turn people to idolatry or be used for false worship need to be destroyed. They are that weak!

Modern day paraphrase: “Don’t listen if someone comes along and tells you to stop worshipping God or to follow another God. Don’t pay attention if they say that God’s Word has changed, or that it means something other than what people have understood for thousands of years. Flee from all things and people that can tear you away from God!”

Thought for the day: Don’t just believe what anyone says. Hold them up to a higher standard – God’s Word!

1 John 4:1 (WEB) “Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

1 Thessalonians 5:21 (WEB) “Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.”

Acts 17:11 (WEB) “Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”