In the biblical narrative, miracles are often seen as divine acts that reveal God's power and authority. However, Scripture also acknowledges the existence of supernatural acts performed through evil agents, warning believers not to regard or be swayed by them. These acts, though seemingly miraculous, are not from God and serve to deceive and lead people away from the truth.

Biblical Warnings Against False Miracles

The Bible provides several warnings against miracles performed by evil agents. In Deuteronomy 13:1-3 , Moses cautions the Israelites: "If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes to pass, but he says, ‘Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,’ you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer." This passage underscores the importance of discerning the source and purpose of miraculous signs, emphasizing that any miracle leading away from the worship of the one true God is not to be heeded.

The Deceptive Nature of False Miracles

The New Testament also addresses the issue of false miracles. In Matthew 24:24 , Jesus warns, "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible." This highlights the deceptive nature of such miracles, which are intended to mislead even the faithful. The apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 , describing the coming of the lawless one as "in accordance with the work of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing."

Examples of False Miracles in Scripture

Scripture provides examples of false miracles performed by evil agents. In Exodus 7:11-12 , Pharaoh's magicians replicate some of the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron, such as turning staffs into serpents. However, their power is limited and ultimately inferior to God's, as demonstrated when Aaron's staff swallows their staffs. This account illustrates that while evil agents can perform signs, their power is not equal to God's and serves a different purpose.

In Acts 8:9-11 , Simon the sorcerer is described as astonishing the people of Samaria with his magic, claiming to be someone great. However, his acts are exposed as false when he encounters the true power of the Holy Spirit through the apostles. This account serves as a reminder that the source of miraculous power is crucial in determining its legitimacy and purpose.

Discernment and Faithfulness

Believers are called to exercise discernment and remain faithful to God, even when confronted with miraculous signs that appear genuine. 1 John 4:1 advises, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." This testing involves evaluating the message and fruit of the miracle, ensuring it aligns with God's revealed truth in Scripture.

Ultimately, miracles through evil agents are not to be regarded or followed, as they lead away from the worship and truth of the one true God. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God's Word to discern the source and purpose of miraculous acts.Deuteronomy 13:3
You shall not listen to the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proves you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Spiritualism.
... cunning, but was the direct work of evil angels, who ... Many will be ensnared through
the belief that Spiritualism ... earth by the means of those miracles which he ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /34 spiritualism.htm

Can Our Dead Speak to Us?
... cunning, but was the direct work of evil angels, who ... Many will be ensnared through
the belief that spiritualism ... earth by the means of those miracles which he ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 34 can our dead.htm

Five Books in Reply to Marcion.
... [1347] ie, the Evil One. ... [1353] The "mirand?? virtutis opus, invisaque facts," I take
to be the miracles wrought by the apostles through the might (virtus ...
/.../fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/5 five books in reply.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... Acts 8:7. "And God wrought special miracles by the ... Manasseh, that he "made his sons
pass through the fire ... they thought to protect themselves from evil, and to ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

The First Evangelists
... His miracles testified to the truth of His words, that ... takes in the experience of
His servants through all the ... power by which they are to overcome evil is the ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 37 the first evangelists.htm

The Final Warning.
... men will hold in check a powerful current of evil. ... will stand with the people of
God through the time of ... Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /38 the final warning.htm

The Final Warning
... men will hold in check a powerful current of evil. ... will stand with the people of
God through the time of ... Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 38 the final warning.htm

Phil. 1:01 the Rights and Duties of Lay Churchmen.
... position."What is the remedy for the evil? ... to prophesy smooth things, and look through
telescopes with ... of Scripture, and the reality of miracles, are coolly ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xvii phil 1 1 the.htm

Rejection of Christianity.
... Moses and the prophets to ascribe their miracles to the ... the levity of a voluptuous
age, or, through a cloud ... revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter iv rejection of christianity.htm

Aims of the Papacy.
... in disguising himself, and accomplishing his work through the leaders ... result, they
will finally believe evil of all ... Miracles also were called into requisition. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /35 aims of the papacy.htm

What is the difference between miracles and magic? | GotQuestions.org

What were the miracles of Jesus? What miracles did Jesus perform? | GotQuestions.org

Does God still perform miracles? | GotQuestions.org

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