Listen to the Prophet

So, let us recap what we have studied so far. First we used young Samuel as an example and learned how to listen like a child, open and enthusiastic to whatever God is wanting to tell us. Then last week, we learned that we should be willing to listen to voices that speak and believe differently than we do. So today I want us to back track just a little. I am not saying those things are wrong, but instead help us set boundaries for what we act on or believe from what we hear. Opening our eyes and being attentive to all we hear is okay, as long as we can differentiate between God’s voice, godly voices, and voices that may not be so godly. Listening to people who think differently or live differently is a great way to discover new things, understand others and find peace with others; it is also good to gain respect and build relationships. But this only goes so far, because we need to listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance on what is right and true first. They may not always be right just the same as you may not always be right. So how do we know if the person we are listening to is right and how do we know we can believe what they say?

Pray and Read Deuteronomy 18:15-22

Deuteronomy 18:15–22 NRSV

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: “If I hear the voice of the Lord my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die.” Then the Lord replied to me: “They are right in what they have said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that prophet shall die.” You may say to yourself, “How can we recognize a word that the Lord has not spoken?” If a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord but the thing does not take place or prove true, it is a word that the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; do not be frightened by it.

In this passage, Moses is talking to the children of Isreal prior to their ascent to the Promise Land, before he passed. He is establishing roles for the authority of Isreal. At the beginning of this chapter, Moses declares who the priest are and what they can do in regards to what the Levites also do in ministry.

Then Moses gives a stern warning to all of Israel to not follow the practices as the nations they were to cross through and those nations that do things not of God, like various Pagan rituals and seeking guidance through psychics and mystical tools. They were warned that those in authority over these nations do not know God nor do they follow after God. God is telling Israel that they don’t need to participate in these things to get answers, protection or prosperity. They have God and God provides all they need.

For us to understand today, we also have God. We have God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We have all we need. There are many people today who still practice things like Divination, sacrificial rituals, consult mediums and psychics, tarot cards and crystals. Those who are filled with the Holy Spirit have no use for these things. Don’t be led astray!

There are many false prophets today. There are leaders that do things behind closed doors that would give the average person nightmares. There are preachers, and so called Christian leaders who distort the word of God so that many are pleased, except God of course. So, how do we know who to trust? Ask for guidance for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will reveal all things. For it is said that things done in the dark will be brought to the light. Be careful what you ask for, however. There are a lot of false prophets and deceptive leaders in the world today. Jesus warned us that it would be this way. Fear not! For God protects those who come to Him. We have the armour of God that we read about in Ephesians 6.

Talking about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus. Jesus sent us His Spirit to help us in our daily walk with God the Father. It is said, and if you read this passage deeply, it is evident that not only is Moses talking about the major Prophets that would come to rule beside the King of Israel but also and more importantly, the final Prophet. Jesus is our Priest, King and Prophet. Jesus is the Word of God.

Therefore, those who we listen to should sound a lot like Christ. They should preach the Bible. They should speak in the power of the Holy Spirit and if you have the Holy Spirit, you will know that they speak with the power of the Holy Spirit. This is why when I first begin to preach a sermon I ask God to give me the words to speak. I never want to speak from my own wants or desires. If I do, the judgement from God will be 1000 times harsher on me than on you who believes in what I say. It is that serious!

Let us talk about modern day prophets. There are people who speak on the Lord’s behalf, but they speak warnings to us to follow God’s laws or we will face judgement. The false prophets tells people that they can do things for their own pleasure and prosperity. So a true prophet only can speak on things that God has ordained to happen or God has commanded. Simply put, if you know the word of God that is contained in the scriptures, and you know the Word which is Jesus, then you have nothing to worry about. This is why it is important to read the Scriptures and constantly seek after Christ.

If your goal in listening to prophets or sinners is to do God’s will, then God will lead you through the right path. Follow after Jesus in all you say and do.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen