How to test a Preacher

Read Deuteronomy 18.

Here again the people of God were clearly told not to turn to any other source of guidance and help in their lives but the LORD alone.  All forms of man-made worship, sorcery, omens, witchcraft, astrology, fortunetelling, and the like were condemned as false and satanic in origin.  Jesus said of Satan, "...he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44)

Instead, the people were to listen and heed the words of the LORD's prophet.  Moses had served as such during this entire Exodus, bringing the nation right up to entering the new land.  Here, he reassured the nation that God will not leave them without spiritual leadership.  The LORD will raise up His spokesperson after Moses.

But how could the people be sure that this person was truly the LORD's prophet?

1. He would be from among God's people. (v.15)

In other words, he would not come from another people group who follow a false religion to deliver God's message to them.

2.  He would speak God's word. (v.18)

His message will line up with what God has already said.  And, because it is God's word, the people were not only to listen but obey.  False prophets will often refer to a part of Scripture and then speak their own misleading message.  

Without a copy of the written word of God, how were the people to know if the message was truly from the LORD?  The test was simple.  If a prophet made a declaration regarding something that was to take place and it did not, then the people would know not to put their trust in this person.  They need not fear his predictions.  He, in fact, would prove to be a false prophet.

At the end of this book, it is written: "And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face." (34:10)  Though God always had his spokespersons in every generation, 18:1 points to a unique future prophet that would be sent to them (Messiah).  In John 1:21, the priests and Levites quizzed John, the Baptist, "Are you the Prophet?  And he answered, 'No.'"  At the Transfiguration of Jesus, the Father spoke from heaven, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." (Mark 9:7)

Then, the Apostle Peter, preaching in Acts 3:17-26 interprets Deuteronomy 18:1 for us by applying it directly to Jesus.

Every generation has had its false teachers and false prophets who proclaimed some new teaching or prediction.  Each one has fallen into disgrace.  Meanwhile, our eternal trust in the Lord Jesus and the word of God remains "a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul." (Hebrews 6:19)