If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.
Deuteronomy 13:1-4 NIV
This chapter in Deuteronomy was a call to Israel to resist the temptation to allow anything to take God’s rightful place in their lives. For ancient Israel, the allure of false gods worshipped by the people around them was a constant temptation. One that they all too often succumbed to.
False gods abound in our world today, although they go under different names now. Some of these false gods are recognized as one of the world’s competing religions. Others are more subtle. Entertainment, consumerism, sports, social causes, greed, and social standing are just a few of the false ‘gods’ that attract us away from our devotion to God.
I find it especially interesting in this passage that the Lord uses these false gods to test us. He uses them to find out if we will love him with all that we are. Adam and Eve were tested in the garden. But they failed their test and brought ruin to themselves and all of humanity. Abraham was tested when God called him to sacrifice Isaac. He passed his test and became a blessing to the whole world.
Will You Pass the Test?
Passing our test to remain faithful to God alone likely will not impact the world as dramatically as those two examples. But it will be significant in our own lives and in the lives of others around us. So, resist the temptation to allow anything to take God’s place in your life, and you will pass the test and receive the crown of righteousness promised to us (2 Tim. 4:7-8). Remember, “It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere.“
I want to thank you, again. For your time and efforts. It has made my understanding of what I am trying to find answers to easier.
May God continue to bless you in ways you never expected. Because that is what you have been for me!
Thanks so much for the kind and affirming words. Blessings to you as well.