SCRIPTURE
1 If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them," 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deuteronomy 13:1-3
Even if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed.
Galatians 1:8
OBSERVATION
You can have all the right signs and miracles on your side, but if you don't have the right message, you are in trouble. As the Lord established the Law of Moses, He warns us about the possibility of prophets and leaders performing miraculous signs but proclaiming a message that turns people away from worshiping God in spirit and in truth. Ideally, leaders should have both, the amazing signs and the uncorrupted message. But if we must have to choose, we should always prefer to honor and proclaim the right message over pursuing signs and wonders.
APPLICATION
Every so often there is an interest in the body of Christ for the miraculous. Sometimes this interest is a genuine consequence of an increased faith. But sometimes it is the result of immaturity and insecurity. The lack of a solid foundation causes people to prefer the miraculous over sound doctrine. And some gifted leaders, that may or may not move in the power of the Holy Spirit to perform miracles, start compromising the message. They center stage is for the miracles and the Gospel slowly becomes compromised. But according to both, the OT and the NT, the Gospel is preached and signs follow, not the other way around.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for giving us a message that is freedom-giving and effective to bring hope and life. Let us proclaim this message in such a way that signs and wonders follow and conform that message. And as signs and wonders take place, let us always stay focus in Your glory and power, not in the miracles. Give us discernment to avoid leaders that are immature and insecure and that would rather be miracle chasers than truth seekers. Let us honor the Gospel, never diluting it, nor never compromising it. And as we devote ourselves to the Gospel, let us pass the test that shows that our love, devotion and alligience goes to you alone. Amen!
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