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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
20 hours ago8 min read

How Can We Distinguish True Miracles from False Ones According to the Bible?


The Importance of Miracles in Christian Apologetics


In the realm of Christian apologetics, distinguishing a true miracle from a false one is a vital aspect of defending the faith. Miracles play a key role in the Bible as supernatural acts of Jehovah that confirm His divine message and authority. As Scripture shows, miracles have been used as signs to validate truth claims, such as Moses before Pharaoh, the prophets like Elijah, and the apostles in the New Testament. For instance, in Exodus 7:3, Jehovah says, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and I will multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.” These signs were meant to show Jehovah’s supremacy over Egypt’s gods and leaders.


However, the problem arises when counterfeit miracles are performed, leading to deception and confusion. False miracles are dangerous because they undermine the credibility of true divine acts and can lead people away from the truth. Therefore, a robust understanding of what constitutes a true biblical miracle is essential to effectively distinguish them from false miracles or deceptive signs.



The Preconditions of a True Miracle


A true miracle, according to the Bible, can only occur within a theistic framework. That is, miracles presuppose the existence of Jehovah, who has both the will and power to intervene in the natural world. The Bible teaches that Jehovah is transcendent, meaning He exists above and beyond the physical universe and has the power to intervene in the natural order, as seen in Psalm 135:6: "Whatever Jehovah pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps."


Atheists and naturalists deny the existence of Jehovah, and therefore, deny the possibility of miracles. To them, the resurrection of Jesus, for example, is not seen as a supernatural event but as an anomaly or a yet-to-be-explained phenomenon (see 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 for Paul’s discourse on the importance of the resurrection in Christian faith). Pantheists, who see God as part of everything in nature, likewise do not view events like the resurrection as a divine intervention, but rather as an unusual occurrence within the natural world itself.



The Description and Dimensions of a True Biblical Miracle


A biblical miracle has several dimensions that differentiate it from false signs or natural anomalies. These dimensions can be identified through the words used in Scripture to describe miracles: “signs,” “wonders,” and “powers.” Each of these terms emphasizes a different aspect of a miracle.


  1. Unnatural Dimension: A true miracle defies the normal laws of nature. For example, when Moses encountered the burning bush in Exodus 3:2, it burned without being consumed, which is unnatural. Similarly, when Jesus walked on water (Matthew 14:25), this act defied natural laws. These kinds of events cannot be explained by science or natural processes and thus command attention.

  2. Theological Dimension: A miracle presupposes the existence of a theistic God, specifically Jehovah, who can perform these acts. Miracles point back to Jehovah's nature as the Creator who can control and intervene in His creation. In the case of Elijah on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:36-39), the fire from heaven demonstrated the power and supremacy of Jehovah over Baal. A miracle must be grounded in the reality of the God of the Bible.

  3. Moral Dimension: A true miracle reflects the moral character of Jehovah, who is good and just (Deuteronomy 32:4). Miracles serve to either bless the faithful or execute judgment upon the wicked, as demonstrated by the plagues upon Egypt (Exodus 7–12). Jehovah, who is good, will not perform miracles that are inherently evil or that lead people into sin.

  4. Teleological Dimension: A miracle has a purpose—typically to glorify Jehovah, not to entertain or satisfy curiosity. Jesus refused to perform miracles for Herod, who desired to see something spectacular (Luke 23:8). Miracles always serve a divine purpose, such as confirming the message of salvation, as in John 20:30-31: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

  5. Doctrinal Dimension: Miracles confirm the truth of Jehovah's revelation. They were used in both the Old and New Testaments to verify the authority of Jehovah’s messengers (Hebrews 2:3-4). For example, in Acts 2:22, Peter says of Jesus, “Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.” The purpose of a miracle is to confirm the truth of the message being proclaimed, not to perform tricks or astonish people for personal glory.



Distinguishing Marks of a Biblical Miracle


While miracles have the above dimensions, there are several distinguishing marks that separate true biblical miracles from false ones or natural anomalies:


  1. Exception to Natural Law: True miracles are interruptions of natural law. Natural laws, such as gravity, operate consistently and predictably, but miracles defy these laws. For example, the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22) was not an anomaly of nature but an act of divine intervention, as confirmed by Moses’ command and the timing of the event. Unlike natural phenomena such as eclipses or earthquakes, miracles cannot be predicted by natural law.

  2. Immediate Results: Biblical miracles happen instantaneously. When Jesus healed the leper in Matthew 8:3, the man was healed immediately. Similarly, when Peter healed the lame beggar in Acts 3:7-8, the man immediately began walking and leaping. Miracles do not take weeks, months, or years to unfold, as is the case with natural processes. They happen at once and are complete.

  3. Glorifies Jehovah: A true miracle glorifies Jehovah and not the person through whom the miracle is performed. This is a key difference between a true miracle and occult magic, which often seeks to glorify the magician. For example, in 1 Corinthians 10:31, believers are exhorted to do everything for the glory of Jehovah, including the exercise of spiritual gifts. If a supposed miracle does not result in glory being given to Jehovah but instead draws attention to a human agent, it is not a true miracle.

  4. No Failures: True miracles do not fail. They are performed by the power of Jehovah, and since Jehovah is omnipotent (Matthew 19:26), His miracles are always successful. Jesus’ healings and other miracles were never incomplete or failed in any way. For example, the man born blind in John 9 was healed perfectly, without any residual blindness or relapses. By contrast, psychosomatic healings, often associated with false claims of miraculous powers, frequently result in partial or temporary healing and require the recipient to believe for the effect to take place.



Common Types of False Miracles


The Bible warns against false signs and wonders, particularly those performed by Satan or his agents (2 Thessalonians 2:9). The types of false miracles generally fall into several categories, none of which meet the biblical standard for true miracles:


  1. Magical Tricks: Some false miracles are simply magic tricks or illusions designed to deceive people. These are not supernatural acts but human manipulations. The magicians of Pharaoh’s court could perform certain acts that appeared miraculous, but when Moses and Aaron called down Jehovah’s power, the magicians could not replicate Jehovah’s true miracles (Exodus 8:18-19). This distinction between magic and true miracles is important because true miracles have a divine source, while magic tricks are human fabrications.

  2. Psychosomatic Cures: These are healings that occur through the power of suggestion or psychological manipulation. While the mind can influence the body in powerful ways, psychosomatic healings are not miraculous because they rely on natural human processes rather than divine intervention. For example, a person may believe they are healed after a faith healer touches them, but this healing is often temporary or partial. True biblical miracles, on the other hand, are complete and permanent.

  3. Natural Anomalies: Some events are mistaken for miracles simply because they are unusual. For example, solar eclipses or comets were once seen as divine signs, but we now understand these as natural phenomena. Miracles, by contrast, are not repeatable or predictable like natural anomalies. When Jesus calmed the storm (Mark 4:39), this was not a natural event or a coincidence but a direct intervention by Jehovah.

  4. Special Providence: While Jehovah governs the world through His providence, not every instance of divine intervention is a miracle. Providence refers to Jehovah's guidance and care in the ordinary workings of the world, such as when He provides food or protection. For instance, the fog that aided the Allies during the D-Day invasion in World War II was likely an instance of divine providence, but it was not a miracle in the biblical sense. True miracles, like the resurrection of Lazarus (John 11), go beyond providence and involve a suspension or interruption of natural law.

  5. Satanic Signs: Satan can perform deceptive signs and wonders that mimic true miracles but are ultimately false. These false signs are designed to lead people away from the truth and into error. In 2 Corinthians 11:14, Paul warns that “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” Satanic signs are associated with falsehood, error, and immorality, while true miracles are connected to truth, righteousness, and the glory of Jehovah. In Revelation 13:13-14, the beast is said to perform great signs to deceive the world, but these signs are counterfeit miracles, not true divine acts.



The Limitations of Satan’s Power


Satan is a powerful being, but his power is limited and cannot compare to Jehovah’s omnipotence. Satan cannot create life or raise the dead, as Jehovah alone has the power to give life (Deuteronomy 32:39). The magicians of Egypt could replicate some of Moses' miracles up to a point, but they were eventually forced to acknowledge that their power was limited compared to Jehovah’s (Exodus 8:18-19). Satan’s signs are always counterfeits, and while they may appear supernatural, they do not have the same characteristics as true biblical miracles.


False signs often involve deception, as seen in the magicians of Pharaoh’s court and in the false prophets who perform wonders to lead people astray (Matthew 24:24). Satan cannot predict the future infallibly as Jehovah does through His prophets, nor can he perform truly supernatural acts that defy the laws of nature. Any claim that Satan can perform miracles like the resurrection is false because it would undermine the uniqueness of Jesus’ resurrection and the apologetic value it holds in proving His deity (1 Corinthians 15:14-17)



About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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