Spiritual Growth Insights: Understanding Signs and Wonders

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God sometimes allows false prophets or teachers to display signs and wonders as a way of testing, revealing, and ultimately separating the true from the false, highlighting God's purpose in miracles.

1. God allows it to test hearts

Deuteronomy 13:1–3 gives a very direct warning:

If a prophet or one who foretells by dreams appears among you and announces a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” … you must not listen to the words of that prophet … for the Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Key point: Even if the miracle works, the message must still be measured against God’s Word. The miracle isn’t the proof — obedience is.

2. Signs can be counterfeited or permitted

Satan’s power is limited but real — Pharaoh’s magicians duplicated some of Moses’ signs (Exod. 7–8). The Antichrist and false prophets are prophesied to perform “great signs” to deceive (Matt. 24:24; 2 Thess. 2:9–10; Rev. 13:13–14). God doesn’t need Satan’s miracles to accomplish His will, but He may permit them to expose what’s in people’s hearts and to fulfill prophecy.

3. Miracles don’t always prove divine approval

Jesus Himself said:

Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matt. 7:22–23)

This shows it’s possible to operate in supernatural power without truly belonging to God.

4. God uses it to sharpen discernment in His people

When flashy signs appear, the temptation is to think: “It must be from God!” — but Scripture forces us to look deeper: Does the teaching align with the gospel? (Gal. 1:8–9) Does the life of the teacher show godly fruit? (Matt. 7:15–20) Does the miracle glorify Jesus or the miracle-worker? (John 16:14)

5. Final Purpose: Separation of genuine faith from imitation

God’s ultimate aim is to purify His people and expose the counterfeit. The presence of false wonders forces believers to anchor themselves in truth rather than in the thrill of the supernatural. In summary, God allows false miracles not because He approves of them, but because He uses them to test loyalty, expose deception, and strengthen spiritual discernment in those who truly follow Him.