Jesus' MiraclesSample

Are There Counterfeit Miracles?

To be faithful to Christ, Christians need to avoid what missionaries call “syncretism.” Syncretism is what happens when people seek to combine non-Christian beliefs and behaviors and try to add to them Christianity. The result is a diluted and polluted spirituality that is not faithful to God. Many religions and spiritualities, including demonic occultic practices, have such things as counterfeits of Christian tongues (like ecstatic utterances) and counterfeits of God’s power (like healings and powerful miracles). The point is simple: what God creates, Satan counterfeits. Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians 11:14, “…Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

Paul also teaches this vital truth, speaking in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (NLT) of “…the work of Satan...[with] counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception...” The Christian is not to be vaguely spiritual but very Spirit-filled.

Spotting demonic counterfeits requires discernment and the ability to distinguish what God creates and what Satan counterfeits.

Demons (fallen spirit beings) may also pose as gods and elicit worship, possibly even through counterfeit signs, wonders, and miracles. This happens throughout the book of Exodus, where the Kingdom of God and Satan’s kingdom of the “gods” are vying for supremacy in a cosmic showdown. (Deut. 32:17; Ps. 106:37; 1 Cor. 10:18–22; Gal. 4:8).

These “gods” of other religions are very powerful demons who rebelled against God. They revile the real God and want to replace Him with multiple gods. False gods are behind false religions led by false teachers who perform false miracles – all schemes to lead people astray from the real God.

Anytime something spiritual happens, even if it seems good (like a healing, miracle, angel, or answer to prayer), we cannot overlook the possibility of demonic deception. This tragic reality explains why many non-Christian religions include miracles. We must be discerning when we experience or witness supernatural activity. Our goal is to live in faith, praying for God to move in power and testing any supernatural activity to confirm that it agrees with Scripture and is from the Holy Spirit.

Has there been a time in your life when you got confused by a spiritual counterfeit?