Deuteronomy 13:4

Paul warned the Ephesian elders that "savage wolves" would come in among New Testament believers. Men from among themselves would teach twisted things to draw disciples away after them (Acts 20:29-30). Moses gave Israel the same warning here about what might happen among them — and it did happen. A prophet or dreamer of dreams might arise and predict something about to happen. He would use this to back up his leading others to serve idols. The thing that he prophesied might come to pass. In this case, some would be inclined to think the prophet must be right. But the fact that his prophecy came true proved something far different. Israel was not to listen to his words (v.3). They were to hold fast to the truth of God and walk in His ways (v.4).

We are not called upon to analyse the false doctrine. We are not called upon to weigh the evidence put forward for it. We reject both, with firm decision, because we have the certainty of the truth and the love of it in our hearts. "You shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams" — although the sign or the wonder had come to pass. The reason follows: "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."

The craft, the subtlety, the signs and lying wonders, all the resources of Satan, all the machinery of hell are powerless against a heart ruled by the love of the truth. Suppose ten thousand false prophets arose and performed the most extraordinary miracles ever seen. Suppose they did it to prove that the Bible is not the inspired word of God, or that our Lord Jesus Christ is not God over all, blessed for ever. Suppose they did it to set aside the glorious truth that the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses from all sin, or any other precious truth revealed in holy scripture. It could have no effect whatever on the simplest babe in Christ whose heart is ruled by the word of God.

Then, now, and always, the true moral security is a heart strengthened by the love of the truth. That is only another way of saying the love of God. Take a faithful Israelite who loved the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul. He would have a ready and conclusive answer for all the false prophets and dreamers who might arise. "You shall not listen." If the enemy does not get the ear, he is not likely to reach the heart. The sheep follow the Shepherd, "for they know his voice. A stranger" — even one showing signs and wonders — "they will not follow, but they will flee from him." Why? Not because they can discuss and argue and analyse. It is because "they do not know the voice of strangers."

God used the word "cleave" at the very beginning of human history. It describes the undivided, unchanging affection a man should keep for the wife of his choice (Gen. 2:24). This love is so close and unifying that by cleaving the "two shall become one flesh" (Eph. 5:31). Cleaving also expresses the loving obedience and worshipping service that should mark the people of God. Six times Moses and Joshua urged the children of Israel to cleave to the LORD their God (Deut. 10:20; 11:22; 13:4; 30:20; Joshua 22:5; 23:8).

There are two kinds of prophecy. One is true, the other false; one divine, the other satanic; one of God, the other of the devil. Spiritual help will draw the individual nearer to God, strengthen him in the truth and lead him in the paths of righteousness. Satanic deceit will lead him away from God and the truth. It will draw him into evil paths, entangle his soul, and lead him to eternal destruction.