Deu 18:20
(20) But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

Deuteronomy 18:20

Explanation:
Most mornings when I sit down to write in my journal, it takes a little bit of time to study the context, a right interpretation, and an application that is faithful to the text and practical for today. Today’s text is rather straightforward.

There were those in the Old Testament that God called to be prophets. Moses states here that God’s standard for prophecy is that when someone speaks on behalf of God that there message is God’s message. When someone misrepresents their word as the Word of God, God would take that persons life. If the person spoke on behalf of other gods, making their false teaching equivalent with God’s teaching, God would take that persons life. The penalty for claiming to be a prophet was that clear cut.

Application:
This is something that all of us take into account. When we teach others about God, in Word and in example, we must make sure that our message is faithful to God’s message. This is spoken of in the ten commandments.

(7) Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Exo 20:7

When we use God’s name to say something He didn’t say, we are using God’s name for something for which He is not responsible. God says that the person that does this shall not be guiltless. When we teach our kids, share the gospel, or converse about God in any way, we must make sure that what we say is consistent with what God has said.
Also we need to be careful about false teachers and teaching. The Bible says that one of the roles of the church and church leaders is to equip the saints to identify false teaching.

(14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
(15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Eph 4:14-15

We must be careful to identify false teachers, reject their message, and call them to repentance. If they will not conform to the clear teaching of the Word of God they must be rejected.

Response:

1. What are you saying about God to those around you through your words? by your actions? Is what you are saying consistent with how God has revealed Himself in scripture?
2. Are you being careful about the teaching you are taking, both religious and non-religious?