THE BELIEVER AND SIGNS AND WONDERS

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE(Eng.); Dip(Computer Studies); ND/HD(Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939  E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BELIEVER AND SIGNS AND WONDERS

Devotional Text: Isaiah 8:18

Introduction:

The Scripture cited as the devotional text in this lesson readily shows that every believer is for signs and wonders, irrespective of spiritual or social status. And, signs and wonders, by way of definition are miraculous works of God, which are often considered unusual. In the same vein, we say that something or an event is miraculous when it is considered a wonderful event, occurring in the physical world, which is attributed to supernatural powers, God or Satan.

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     Signs and wonders are miraculous acts of God, (Rom. 15:19).

(2)     God performs His signs and wonders through His children, (Isa. 8:18).

(3)     He uses both His ministers and the ordinary believer for signs and wonders, (Matt. 10:5-8; Mk. 16:17-18).

(4)     Signs and wonders are different from lying wonders, (2 Thess. 2:9).

SIGNS AND WONDERS AND LYING WONDERS

The general remarks of this lesson already indicates that signs and wonders are the miraculous acts of God, (Rom 15:19), as well as shows that they are different from lying wonders, which are the handiwork of Satan, aimed at deceiving the unsuspecting members of the public, (2 Thess. 2:9). This is the basic reason why the Scripture urges us to try every spirit, to ascertain whether they are of God, (I Jn. 4:1). In this connection, therefore, this lesson biblically asserts that;

(i)       God performs signs and wonders through genuine servants of His, (Matt. 10:5-8).

(ii)     Satan perform lying wonders through false prophets and teachers, (Matt. 24:24; 2 Peter 2:1).

(iii)    Every sign should be tested, to establish its genuineness or otherwise (1 Jn. 4:1).

SIGNS OF THE BELIEVER

The Scripture clearly points out the miraculous signs that would follow those who truly believe the Lord, (Mk. 16:17-18). And, let it quickly be noted that these signs will follow the believer and not believer running after them. For, those who are fascinated by signs are often deceived, except, for the fact that God would not allow the very elect to be deceived, (Matt. 24:24). Based on the foregoing, every believer should ensure that the following signs are manifest in their lives and ministries:

(i)       The ability to cast out devils (Mk. 16:17)

(ii)     The ability to speak in new tongues, (vs 17).

(iii)    The ability to pick up harmful thing (unknowingly) without hurt, (vs. 18)

(iv)    The ability to drink deadly poison (unknowingly) without hurt, (vs. 18)

(v)      The ability to heal the sick, (vs. 18).

FALSE BELIEVERS AND LYING SIGNS

By “false believers” we mean every individual (pastor or lay person) that is knowingly or unknowingly linked up with the devil, but operates under the guise (or in the arena) of the Christian faith. Some of the people involved in lying signs have conscious covenant with Satan, whereas, others do not have.

But, they manifest the same or similar signs, since all of them operate from demonic kingdom(s). They prophesy from familiar spirits and not from the Holy Spirit. They claim they cast out devils, but only appease them. And, when they are disappointed by Satan, they employ human tricks. They have motivations for fortunes and not concern for souls, etc. They are known by their fruits, (Matt. 7:20). Having highlighted the above, please beware of the following lying signs of false believers:

(i)       power to appease demons through rituals, or religious ornament, (oil, candle, water, apron, bangle, handkerchief, etc) instead of casting them out in the Name of Jesus (see Mk. 16:17)

(ii)     anti-poison concoction or medicine, instead of destroying poison in the Name of Jesus (see Mk. 16:18)

(iii)    power to call unknown telephone numbers, instead of preaching the word of God, (see Deut. 13:1-5)

(iv)    prophecies that reveal evil done to people, but without solutions to the problems cited, (Matt. 7:15; Jude 11-13)

(v)      ritualistic healing methods, using, olive oil, holy water, coconut, herbs, etc in pretence of praying and healing in the Name of Jesus, (see Mk. 16:18).

In conclusion, this lesson stresses the fact that God uses both the clergy and the laity to perform His miraculous acts. It is also evident in the teaching that Satan employs lying wonders through his agents to deceive. Equally, this work depicts the signs that follow the believer, and, on the other hand, makes known some of the ways false believers throw up lying signs. Nevertheless, every believer, by the objective of this piece should be aware of the antics of the devil at this end-time, and work closely with God, so as to realize the fullness of the signs that follow the believer, and in turn use same to always counter the lying signs of the devil, which have taken so many people off the faith. Finally, let it be biblically placed on record that the Name of Jesus is the Absolute Authority (AA) in the exercise of signs and wonders of the kingdom of Heaven, (Mark 16:17). BE INFORMED!