There seems to be a rapidly growing interest (or perhaps I should say obsession) in signs, wonders, and miracles in spiritual circles including the Church. Most Christians are familiar with stories from the Scriptures where God did great and miraculous things and we’ve long had a desire to see such things done with our own eyes. However, I am greatly concerned for the young in Christ to whom the awe and wonder of the miraculous has become an idol making way for them to fall prey to extremely convincing deceptions.
In speaking of the days nearing His return, Jesus warned:
And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Behold, He is there’; do not believe him; for false christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But as for you, see! I have told you everything in advance.” - Mark 13:21-23 LSB
Jesus warned us in advance that there would be false christs and false prophets who would be able to perform signs and wonders and if possible, even lead astray the elect, the very children of God. The only way to stand against lies and deceptions is to have a firm grasp and love of the truth. My hope is to convince you that signs, wonders, and miracles are not the standard for truth, God’s Word is. One example from the Scriptures can be found in Exodus where God did signs to confirm the words of Moses. However, we also read:
Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. - Exodus 7:11 ESV
Pharaoh’s people were able to duplicate some of Moses’ signs and the Scriptures do not tell us if they did so by deceptive tricks or if they did so by demonic powers. Another example from the Scriptures of a supernatural ability being not from God is found in Acts chapter 16.
Now it happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a servant-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling. Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, “These men are slaves of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.” And she continued doing this for many days. But being greatly annoyed, Paul turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to leave her!” And it left at that very moment. - Acts 16:16-18 LSB
This girl was possessed by a spirit who had the ability to foretell the future (although not in an omniscient way as God can or it wouldn’t have followed Paul that day). This spirit was doing what would otherwise be impossible for a human to do by supernatural power/knowledge. I would also like to mention that the demonic practice of divination is strictly forbidden in Leviticus.
“... You are not to practice divination or witchcraft.” - from Leviticus 19:26 CSB
However, I will warn that just because a false christ or prophets sign, wonder, or miracles doesn’t go against the word of God does not guarantee that they are speaking or teaching the truth. Their words, teachings, and works must be tested with the Word of God. For many who truly believe that they belong to Christ and have even done great things like casting out demons, prophesying, and doing miracles in His name will be told by Christ Himself, “‘I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!” - from Matthew 7:23 I strongly encourage you to read Matthew 7:13-23 for it is extremely relevant.
Keep in mind that even though Jesus Himself performed miracles during His ministry on earth when the scribes and Pharisees demanded them, Jesus refused.
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” He answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. - Matthew 12:38-39 CSB
Beware of any who would use signs, wonders, and miracles as the basis that you should believe their teachings. Remember that the Bereans were praised by Paul for testing his teachings with the Scriptures in search of truth.
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. - Acts 17:11 NIV
The Scriptures that first motivated my desire to write this post are found in the book of Revelation. Please take a moment to read Revelation 13:11-15. In these verses we are warned of a “beast” that performs great signs and that it deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs that it is permitted to perform. I fear that many people view signs, wonders, and miracles as the proverbial proof in the pudding that someone is teaching, preaching, or prophesying the truth. I hope that this article helps you understand that this is not the case. One of the greatest deceptions of Satan will be embraced by many because it will be accompanied by signs and wonders, I don’t want you to be among them. I hope that after you finish article you will take a moment to read 1 Corinthians chapter 13 and that God would grow your love of Him and His word.
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. - John 17:17 CSB
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