How can we discern God's work today through "signs and wonders"? The Anchor Verse “God also testified to it by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.” God’s story has always carried a signature—visible, undeniable works that point to Him. The same God who authenticated the gospel in the first century still moves today, yet He also calls us to weigh what we see. What Signs and Wonders Are Designed to Do • Confirm the truth of the gospel • Mark 16:20 — “the Lord worked through them, confirming His word by the signs that accompanied it.” • Acts 14:3 — signs “affirmed the message of His grace.” • Point to the person of Jesus • Acts 2:22 — Jesus was “accredited by God… through miracles, wonders, and signs.” • John 10:25 — “The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf.” • Strengthen believers and awaken unbelievers • Galatians 3:5 — God works miracles “because you hear and believe,” reminding us faith remains central. The Biblical Safeguards for Discernment • Measure everything against Scripture • Deuteronomy 13:1-3 — even a fulfilled sign is rejected if it contradicts God’s Word. • 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.” • Test the spirits • 1 John 4:1 — “test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” • Does the sign exalt Christ as Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3) or draw attention to a personality, movement, or experience? • Examine the fruit • Matthew 7:16-18 — good trees bear good fruit. • Look for repentance, holiness, love, and a deeper hunger for God’s Word flowing from the reported wonder. • Beware of counterfeits • Matthew 24:24 — false prophets “will appear and perform great signs and wonders.” • 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 — Satan can mimic power to deceive. Marks of Genuine Divine Activity Today ✓ In harmony with clear biblical teaching ✓ Produced through humble, Christ-centred servants ✓ Leads observers to worship God, not the instrument He uses ✓ Sparks conviction of sin and obedience to Scripture ✓ Accompanied by ethical integrity and accountability ✓ Occurs “according to His will” (Hebrews 2:4), not manipulated by human agendas Practical Discernment Checklist 1. Saturate yourself in Scripture daily so false notes stand out. 2. Pray for the Spirit’s wisdom (James 1:5) before forming conclusions. 3. Compare the message tied to the wonder with the gospel of grace. 4. Observe long-term fruit in lives and communities affected. 5. Seek counsel from mature, Word-anchored believers and church leadership. 6. Remain teachable—eager for God’s power, yet unwilling to compromise truth. God still testifies to His Son through signs, wonders, and gifts of the Spirit. When we anchor our discernment in His unchanging Word, we can embrace authentic works of God with joy while guarding against deception. The result is a church that both celebrates His power and stands firm in His truth. |
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