In Deuteronomy 18:21-22 the Israelites were told to test the words of the prophet. If he turned out to be false he was summarily rejected. The gravity of false teaching is emphasized by the fact that the prophet who claimed to speak for God, but who spoke falsely, was condemned to death. (vs. 20) God wanted them to be careful “lest a fast talking preacher lead them astray.”

But the prophet was not the only one who was subject to testing. The failure, or success of signs did not remove the hearer’s responsibility! In Deuteronomy 13:1-23 the hearer was also subject to a testing. Was he willing to listen to teaching that questioned the nature of God, and the principles of truth previously learned? Even when the signs apparently came to pass — THE WORDS, NOT THE SIGNS, were the final determinants.

Truth is a UNIT, and all so-called new truth must conform to that which has been previously established. It’s true we sometimes confuse traditional orthodoxy with established truth, but there’s a serious warning here for those who think themselves pragmatic, and quickly believe “new” doctrines that fit today’s subjective spirit. Faith must remain objective, and God constantly tests whether we put His word before modern signs.