13:8,9
How are we to react to people close to us seeking to lead us astray? First we must not yield to them. Because they are close to us there will be extra pressure to go along with them. We must not give in to this pressure. There will also be pressure to “protect” them. The text tells us not to “spare them or shield them”. It then says they must certainly be put to death, and if it is your relative or friend you must be involved in this. Now, let me say again that putting false teachers to death does not apply today. However, we are to take it seriously and to root out false teachings/prophecies and false teachers/prophets however close they may be to us. Jesus said that we are to love Him more than our own family. Indeed, if we do not do so then we are not worthy of Him (Matt 10:37).
13:10,11
The reason for the severity of the punishment is given again. They are trying to turn us away from the One who set us free, the One who alone can give life. The consequences of false teachings are extremely serious. In carrying out the actions commanded here the community would realise the seriousness of the matter and be deterred from doing a similar thing. We should note that deterrence is an important part of justice.
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