A prophet might arise and perform signs and wonders. They might say: let's follow other gods. Don't listen. Even if the sign comes true, test the prophet against the command to love God exclusively.
I'm in a season where there are so many voices claiming to speak for God. Preachers with huge platforms, authors with bestselling books, leaders with following in the millions. Some of them are leading people toward devotion to God. Some are leading people toward devotion to themselves, their movement, their vision.
Moses gives the test: does this lead to love of God alone? Does this increase exclusive allegiance to the LORD? If a prophet is pointing people toward themselves, their church, their movement, their version of truth - they're failing the test.
I've been in a church where the pastor was essentially working for his own power. The theology was right. The signs and wonders came. But the trajectory was toward the pastor, not toward God. That's idolatry with a Christian vocabulary.
I'm learning to be very suspicious of my own desires. If I'm excited about following a leader, is it because that leader is pointing me to God? Or is it because that leader is offering something else - certainty, belonging, status? The test is directional. Where does the arrow point?
No comments yet. Be the first.