Deuteronomy 13

Deuteronomy 13:1-18

Deuteronomy 12:29-32; Deuteronomy 13:1-18 Idolatry is Forbidden (Deuteronomy 12:29-32; Deuteronomy 13:1-18) Second. Idolatry is forbidden. In this section the question of false teaching and false teachers is dealt with quite fully as being, together with idolatry, a means of leading God’ s people away from Himself. Three agencies in leading people into idolatry and away from God are mentioned here: False prophets (Deuteronomy 13:1-5); a man’ s family (Deuteronomy 13:6-11); a man’ s neighbors (Deuteronomy 13:12-18). We are warned not to be deceived by any signs which these deceivers may be able to perform. Wonders and signs are not in themselves divine credentials. Even followers of Satan can perform such wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; cf. Matthew 7:21-29; Revelation 13:2; Revelation 13:14). The treatment to be meted out to those who lead God’ s people into idolatry is the same as that received by those who had been guilty of taking human life. Capital punishment is the penalty. This seems somewhat severe, but we must remember that the destruction of the soul is involved in false teaching, and this is a far more important matter than the destruction of the body (cf. Luke 12:4-5). This section reminds us of the New Testament teaching on the same subject (1 John 2:18-28; 1 John 4:1-6) by which we are exhorted not to listen to false teachers, even though they should be counted among our neighbors or the members of our own family (cf. Matthew 10:34-38). Nor are we to let signs, wonders, and miracles deceive us. These wondrous phenomena do not prove that those performing them are of God unless the true doctrine of God is taught in connection therewith. Signs may be allowed by God to prove His people. False teachers and teaching are to be strongly opposed and contended against.

We are not to be hospitable to either the teaching or the teachers. “ For many deceivers are entered into this world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 1:7-11).