W4. Testing Everything that is Spoken in God's Name. [Make a Comment]
We are to test everything that is spoken in God's name.
This precept is derived from His Word (blessed be He):
Key Scriptures
Deuteronomy 13:2-4(1-3)
(Maimonides RN28; Meir MN22; Chinuch C456)
If a prophet or someone who gets messages while dreaming arises among you
and he gives you a sign or wonder, and the sign or wonder comes about as he
predicted when he said, 'Let's follow other gods, which you have
not known; and let us serve them,' you are not to listen to what that
prophet or dreamer says. For ADONAI your God is testing you, in order to
find out whether you really do love ADONAI your God with all your heart and
being.
Deuteronomy 18:21-22
(Maimonides RN29; Chinuch C519)
You may be wondering, 'How are we to know if a word has not been spoken
by ADONAI?' When a prophet speaks in the name of ADONAI, and the
prediction does not come true - that is, the word is not fulfilled - then
ADONAI did not speak that word. The prophet who said it spoke
presumptuously; you have nothing to fear from him.
Acts 17:11
Now the people here were of nobler character than the ones in Thessalonica;
they eagerly welcomed the message, checking the Tanakh every day to see if
the things Sha'ul was saying were true.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
Don't quench the Spirit, don't despise inspired messages. But do
test everything - hold onto what is good, but keep away from every form of
evil.
1 John 4:1-3
Dear friends, don't trust every spirit. On the contrary, test the
spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have
gone out into the world. Here is how you recognize the Spirit of God: every
spirit which acknowledges that Yeshua the Messiah came as a human being is
from God, and every spirit which does not acknowledge Yeshua is not from God
- in fact, this is the spirit of the Anti-Messiah. You have heard that he is
coming. Well, he's here now, in the world already!
Supportive Scriptures
1 Corinthians 14:29-33
Let two or three prophets speak, while the others weigh what is said.
1 Corinthians 14:37-38
If anyone thinks he is a prophet or is endowed with the Spirit, let him
acknowledge that what I am writing you is a command of the Lord. But if
someone doesn't recognize this, then let him remain unrecognized.
Commentary
Scripture admonishes us to "test everything" (1 Thessalonians 5:21) because there are false prophets in the world who would mislead us intentionally, and also because well-meaning men sometimes mishear the voice of God. It was the approach used by the men of Berea who "welcomed Paul's message", but engaged in "checking the Tanakh every day to see if the things Sha'ul was saying were true" (Acts 17:11).
Classical Commentators
This Mitzvah is not included among the 613 of Maimonides, Meir, or HaChinuch. However, #RN28, #MN22, and #C456 (based upon Deuteronomy 13:4(3)), instructs us to not listen to anyone who prophesies in the name of an idol.
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