Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Deuteronomy 13-14

Highlight Verse:

“You must put them to death! Strike the first blow yourself, and then all the people must join in.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭13‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Here’s where some point and say, “See, Christianity is as violent as Jihadist Islamists.”

Let me assure you that the sacrifice of Jesus changed all that.

In the new covenant, we are told to admonish that person as a brother. “2 Thessalonians 3:14-15.”

Other New Testament passages tell us to confront wrong teaching, correct it, and if a person will not be corrected, avoid them.

This is not a contradiction of today’s Old Testament passage but a fulfillment of it in the light of the grace and mercy that came through Jesus.

There is one principle that we would do well to put into practice today. The concept of striking the first blow yourself tells me that

God wants us to take personal responsibility when we see people teaching falsely.

We should challenge false teaching and prophecy ourselves, making sure we have a firm understanding of the correct Biblical principals that counter what they teach. When we are not sure, we would be wise to consult others to verify our understanding of Scripture.

This happened to me.

I don’t have room here to go into details, but I was prophesied to. I suspected the prophecy was wrong. I confirmed my suspicions with a Godly wise person.

In that case, my wise friend confronted the “prophet” as I was young and not in a position to confront the person myself. The person received the correction gracefully.

Some just make mistakes and grow when they are corrected.

Some are truly false prophets leading others astray.

Regardless of which we encounter, it is important that we take action to stay true to the Gospel of Christ.

On a side note, if you ever think I am moving away from the truth of God’s Word, please bring it to my attention.

Have you ever confronted someone you thought was teaching or prophesying falsely?
How did they receive the correction?
Have you ever found out it was you that needed the correction?