It is not enough to ask whether a miracle is genuine. The question that must confront every believer—especially those drawn to the supernatural—is whether the message behind the miracle aligns with the truth of God. Scripture is unambiguous: real miracles can be performed by false prophets, and God Himself allows this, not as a sign of approval, but as a deliberate test of our loyalty to Him.
God’s Test: Miracles as a Proving Ground
Moses warned Israel that even if a prophet or dreamer performs a sign or wonder, and it comes to pass, the miracle itself is not the measure of truth. The content of the message is the dividing line. If the miracle-worker calls you to follow after another god, you are commanded not to listen—no matter how impressive the sign. Why? Because the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul (Deut. 13:1-3). This testing is not a trap, but a positive tool in the hand of God, designed to reveal and refine genuine devotion. Discernment, not spectacle, is the mark of the faithful.
“If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods…thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet…for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 13:1-3)
The Catastrophe of Power Without Truth
Jesus Himself warned that many would appear before Him at the last day, boasting of prophecies, exorcisms, and mighty works done in His name. Yet He will reject them, not because their miracles were counterfeit, but because their lives were marked by iniquity and their message was divorced from the truth. The presence of supernatural power is not a substitute for covenantal relationship. Miracles, even when real, are not the ground of assurance or authority.
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:22-23)
Jesus further warns that false prophets will arise, performing great signs and wonders—so persuasive that, if it were possible, even the elect could be deceived (Matt. 24:24). The implication is clear: miraculous power divorced from the truth is not only possible, but inevitable in the last days. The only safeguard is unwavering allegiance to the Gospel and the finished work of Christ.
Miracles in the Service of Rebellion
Paul exposes this dynamic further by referencing Jannes and Jambres, Pharaoh’s magicians who duplicated Moses’ miracles. Their supernatural acts were not tricks; they were real, but wielded in direct resistance to God’s purposes. Paul’s point is sharp: miracles can be marshaled in the service of rebellion. The miraculous, when untethered from truth, becomes a weapon against the very God who grants power.
“Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.” (2 Timothy 3:8)
What Is Lost If This Error Is Accepted?
If we accept the lie that miracles themselves are the mark of divine endorsement, we forfeit the very foundation of justification by faith. Inheritance, sonship, and the cleansing of conscience are no longer anchored in Christ’s finished work, but are made contingent on displays of power. The Gospel is emptied of its saving force, and the door is thrown wide open to deception. The believer is left vulnerable, tossed by every sign and wonder, no longer able to discern between the voice of the Shepherd and the voice of the thief.
The Only Safe Ground: The Gospel
Let this be clear: miracles are not the standard—Christ is. The true test is always doctrinal alignment with the Gospel, not supernatural manifestation. God’s people are called to discernment, to measure every spirit and every message by the Word of truth. To chase after power without regard for the message is to invite deception and to risk being found among those whom Christ will disown.
If you are content with a faith that is propped up by signs, you have already surrendered the ground of your inheritance. But if you cling to the finished work of Christ, you will not be moved—even if the whole world runs after the next wonder. The test is real, and the stakes are nothing less than your assurance, your sonship, and your eternal inheritance.
