How can we discern true signs from God in today's world? Setting the Scene 1 Kings 13 recounts a courageous “man of God” confronting King Jeroboam’s idolatrous altar at Bethel. To verify that his message came from the LORD, he announced a specific, near-term miracle: 1 Kings 13:3 – “That day the man of God gave a sign, saying, ‘This is the sign the LORD has spoken: “Surely the altar will split apart, and the ashes upon it will be poured out.”’” The altar immediately split (v. 5), confirming that both messenger and message were authentic. Principles Drawn from the Bethel Sign • The sign matched God’s revealed character—He opposes idolatry (Exodus 20:3-5). • It reinforced, rather than replaced, God’s Word. • Its fulfillment was concrete and verifiable, leaving no room for vague interpretation. • It led to repentance and the fear of the LORD, not entertainment or self-promotion. Scriptural Tests for Signs Today 1. Conformity to Scripture • Isaiah 8:20 – “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there is no light in them.” • Galatians 1:8 – Even an angel must not preach a different gospel. 2. Loyalty to the One True God • Deuteronomy 13:1-4 – A sign that lures people toward other gods is automatically false. 3. Accuracy of Fulfillment • Deuteronomy 18:21-22 – If a prophecy fails, the LORD has not spoken. 4. Christ-centered Focus • 1 John 4:2-3 – True spirits confess Jesus Christ come in the flesh. 5. Fruit in the Messenger’s Life • Matthew 7:15-20 – “By their fruit you will recognize them.” 6. Witness of the Holy Spirit and the Church • Acts 15 – Discernment occurred in community, with Scripture and the Spirit agreeing. Practical Steps for Everyday Discernment • Stay immersed in the Bible; the better you know truth, the quicker you spot counterfeit. • Pray for wisdom (James 1:5) and maintain a humble, teachable spirit. • Examine the content: Does it exalt God or man? Call to holiness or cater to flesh? • Assess timing and specificity: Vague impressions are easy to claim, hard to test. • Check the messenger’s character, accountability, and willingness to be tested. • Seek counsel from mature believers; avoid lone-ranger decision-making. • Wait for confirmation; God’s real signs do not require rushed, pressured responses. Common Red Flags • Promises of guaranteed wealth, power, or personal glory (1 Timothy 6:5-10). • “New revelation” that contradicts or sidelines Scripture. • Signs used as spectacles to build a brand or following (Acts 8:18-23). • Fear-based manipulation: “If you don’t act now, you’ll miss God.” • Moral compromise or secretive behavior in the sign-giver. Healthy Expectation Without Gullibility God is free to confirm His Word today—through answered prayer, providential timing, dreams, or miracles—but such signs will always: • Agree with Scripture, never diminish it. • Point to Christ, not the performer. • Promote obedience and holiness. • Stand up to honest testing without defensiveness. Summing It Up The split altar at Bethel teaches that genuine signs validate God’s already-spoken Word, glorify Him, and foster repentance. By anchoring ourselves in Scripture, applying biblical tests, and depending on the Spirit’s guidance within the fellowship of believers, we can navigate today’s swirl of claims with confidence and clarity. |
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