“The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with all kinds of false miracles…and with every unrighteous deception among those who are perishing…” – 2 Thess. 2:9-10
“He also performs great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in front of people. He deceives those who live on the earth.” – Revelation 13:13
Clearly, Satan can perform miracles and can cause people to do so. Many Christians have been led astray by false teachers who have performed signs. How do we tell the difference?
- When the Spirit of God is at work, all the glory goes to Jesus. When Satan is at work, the glory goes to people.
- The Spirit of God always brings peace. Satan always brings stress and anxiousness.
- The Spirit of God always brings unity and equality. Satan seeks to divide and elevate some people over others.
- The Spirit of God always brings clarity. Satan brings complication and confusion. “How can we really understand what truth is?” ask his servants. It’s the same lie he told Eve at the beginning. “Did God really say…” (Genesis 3:1). Yes, He did.
“Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8
