What does the Bible say about demonic/satanic miracles?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible acknowledges that demonic or satanic miracles are real, as seen when Egyptian magi mimicked God's miracles but ultimately failed to counteract His power (Exodus 7:8–12). These miracles can deceive, as Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) and performs false signs and wonders to mislead people (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9). Believers are instructed to test the spirits and ensure that any miracle or teaching aligns with the truth of Jesus Christ and God's Word (1 John 4:1–3). Despite the reality of demonic miracles, such supernatural acts have limitations. They cannot surpass the supremacy of God's divine authority and purpose. To avoid deception, believers should remain vigilant, grounded in Scripture, and reliant on God's wisdom and strength to discern and resist falsehoods (1 Thessalonians 5:21–22; James 1:5).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• When Moses and Aaron went to deliver God's message to Pharaoh, they confirmed its divine origin by performing a miracle (Exodus 7:8–10). The Egyptian magi were able to perform the exact same miracle (Exodus 7:11); however, God's miracle was proven to be the most powerful (Exodus 7:12). The magi were readily able to mimic a God-ordained miracle with a satanic miracle, but they did not have the power to ultimately counteract or reverse the divine purpose and authority of God's miracles, which were demonstrated to be far superior and ultimately unstoppable.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• According to the Bible, there is only one true God. Ephesians 4:4–6 says: "There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
• Satan is the "father of lies" and wants nothing more than to deceive (John 8:44).
• Second Corinthians 11:14 warns that "Satan disguises himself as an angel of light."
• Demonically based miracles are real, and it's important to know that just because a miracle happens does not mean it is of God. This is one of the reasons John instructs believers to "test" the spirits: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already" (1 John 4:1–3). Someone may claim to be in God and perform miracles, but if their teaching is in opposition to God's Word, or if they refuse to confess Jesus Christ as Lord, their miracles are demonic, because they are not coming from the right Spirit.
• Jesus warned about false prophets in the end times who "will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive" (Matthew 24:24, NIV).
• Paul told the Thessalonians that "the coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders" (2 Thessalonians 2:9). We should be aware of the reality of demonic / satanic miracles so as not to be deceived by false teachers.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Demonic / satanic miracles are real and they happen on a regular basis. There is no need for us to be fearful of demonic miracles, however, for Jesus is greater (1 John 4:4). But this also doesn't mean we can turn a blind eye to them. As believers in Jesus Christ, we must remain vigilant in our discernment and "test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil" so that we do not give into the charms of a false spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:21–22). It's important for us to stay in God's Word and in prayer and to keep His truth at the forefront of our minds (Ephesians 6:10–18). He promises to give us wisdom when we ask for it (James 1:5).

UNDERSTAND

• Demonic or satanic miracles are real and can mimic God's miracles but are ultimately powerless compared to God's supreme authority and purpose.
• Satan and his forces use demonic miracles to deceive.
• Believers are called to discern and test the spirits against God's Word.

REFLECT

• How can recognizing the reality of demonic miracles impact your personal faith and trust in God's supremacy?
• How can you strengthen your ability to discern between true miracles and those that are demonic or deceptive?
• How does the knowledge of demonic miracles influence your daily spiritual practices and your reliance on God’s wisdom?

ENGAGE

• While God has ultimate power, Satan also has power to do miracles, which explains why all major religions have had miracles reported by their followers—Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, etc. Catholicism has many miracles that are unique to it, including the stigmata, weeping or bleeding statues, "incorruptible bodies," and appearances of the Virgin Mary. Are these miracles "real"? Yes. But are they from the one true Holy Spirit? No. What role does understanding the nature of demonic miracles play in our engagement with different religious or spiritual practices that may claim supernatural occurrences?
• How do the instances of demonic miracles in the Bible, such as those performed by the Egyptian magi, illustrate the limitations of satanic power in comparison to God’s divine authority?
• How can believers apply the biblical instruction to "test the spirits" in practical ways when encountering miracles or teachings that claim to be from God?