READ: Deut. 13:1-11
If there arises among you a prophet … and he … spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’ … ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet … for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. … But that prophet … shall be put to death … So you shall put away the evil from your midst. – Deut. 13:1-5
The Bible continually warns of the danger of false prophets. These are church members who present themselves as prophets of God but spread a doctrine that deviates from God’s Word. This can happen very subtly when they refer to God. Their actions contribute to the enormous apostasy in the church over time. In many places, the Bible warns against them (Matt.7:15; 24:11,24; 2 Cor.11:13; Gal.2:4, 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 John 4:1; Rev. 16:13).
These false prophets serve the devil, who can disguise himself as an angel of light (2 Thess. 2). However, they can be exposed by comparing their teachings with God’s Word. This is what the Israelites were also instructed to do. If a prophet or dreamer proposed to serve other gods contrary to God’s Word, they were not allowed to follow him (v.2,3). They were to continue to follow and serve the LORD (v.4).
God uses the temptation of false prophets to test what is in our hearts, whether we truly love God with all our hearts. This is how God also tests us when we encounter false teachings. We must not only reject false teachings but also discipline the false teacher who does not repent. God wants us to rid ourselves of evil (vs. 5, see 1 Cor. 5:13). In the Old Testament, God wanted such a person to be stoned so that such a thing would not be done again. Discipline is also meant for protection of the congregation and God’s honor.
To what extent is church discipline an expression of love?
Singing: Ps. 101:1,3,4