By Leonard A. Lester

“For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible even the elect. Behold, I [Jesus] have told you to advance” (Matthew 24:24–25).

In our Deuteronomy passage, Moses told the children of Israel in advance that there would come those who would try to displace the true God from their lives. The misleading could come from an accurate prophet or dreamer, that is a respected leader (vv. 1–3). Or misleading could come from family or best friends (vv. 6–11). An enticement to leave the true and holy God might even come through large groups of people (vv. 12–18).

The sobering part of this passage is that God would send the test to his people to see how easily they could be dislodged from their faith in him. The seriousness of this trial of faith is underlined by the sentence of death upon those who could not pass it.

Vigilance to the Word of God, and righteous works constantly practiced, are the only defense to keep the Christian immune from idolatry (v. 4).

Originally published March 11, 1992