Deuteronomy 13:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Yet even if they were capable and willing to offer healing—which is unlikely—you should not prioritize a fleeting gain at the cost of inviting eternal ruin. Do you wish to heal your body at the expense of your soul? Such a gain is illusory: you seek assistance from the wicked to mend the body, while angering God, the Creator of that body! Surely it is not beyond the reach of some malicious person, through their medical practices, to entice you into the worship of false gods? The pagans, after all, often succeeded in curing numerous ailments and restoring health through their skills. So what then? Should we then partake in their wrongdoing? Absolutely not. Consider what Moses expressed to the Israelites: "But if there arise among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and that sign or wonder comes to pass, saying, 'Let us go after other gods, which you have not known,' do not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer of dreams." This means if someone performs miracles, such as raising the dead, cleansing leprosy, or healing the afflicted, and then attempts to lead you into sin, do not trust him despite the miracle. Why? "For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul." Thus, it becomes evident that demons do not bring healing. Even if, by God's allowance, they might occasionally effect some cures, such instances serve as a test of your resolve, not because God is unaware of your circumstances, but so you can learn not to accept healing from malevolent spirits.

But that prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he has encouraged you to withdraw from the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 13:1-5). What a sacred and divinely established law! If those who commit murder against the physical body are to face death as prescribed by the law, how could one who misguides the soul into destructive error and leads astray what, according to the Savior Himself, is of greater value than the body (Matthew 10:28) escape such punishment? Therefore, God has deemed it fitting that the liar and deceiver should face death; furthermore, He has determined the same penalty for those who heed such individuals with a careless and frivolous attitude. When the opportunity to embrace the truth was readily available and the mind was clear, why, He asks, did one choose to turn towards unrighteousness?

He stated, "But if a prophet arises among you, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or wonder, and the sign or wonder comes to pass, and he says, 'Let us go after other gods,' which you have not known, and let us serve them, you shall not listen to the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deuteronomy 13:2-4). Therefore, the false prophet performs wonders only through God's allowance. This teaches us to disregard signs when they are accompanied by teachings contrary to godliness. Moses instructed that such a false prophet should be put to death to rid the people of harmful doctrine. He declared, "So you shall purge the evil from your midst" (Deuteronomy 13:5). If a brother, friend, or relative, ensnared in falsehood, attempts to lead others astray, the law also commands action regarding this wicked teacher. The community is instructed to bring the matter forward and to be the first to cast stones at one who adheres to such erroneous teachings, eventually executing the guilty party publicly, so that their punishment serves as a warning to others.

Concerning such individuals, Scripture states in Deuteronomy: "If a prophet or a dreamer arises among you and shows you a sign or a wonder, and he says, 'Let us go after other gods, which you have not known, and let us serve them,' you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer; for the Lord your God is testing you to see if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deuteronomy 13:1-3). Additionally, the Gospel warns us: "false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect" (Matt. 24:24).