Spiritual Warfare Series — Devotional #10
False Signs and Wonders
This week we continue exploring the question:
How does God’s enemy come after His people and His leaders for the sole purpose of distracting, disrupting, and derailing them from being involved in God's great mission?
As we survey Pauline literature, we uncover fourteen tactical strategies the enemy uses to oppose God’s people—along with Spirit-empowered antidotes to resist them.
Tactic 10: False Signs and Wonders
"Loving and clinging to the truth are the keys to overcoming the counterfeit activity of the enemy." – Gary Rohrmayer
Biblical Foundation
2 Thessalonians 2:9–12 –
“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason, God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”
Paul warns believers of the enemy’s strategy to deceive through spectacular but counterfeit works. Satan does not only oppose through persecution or discouragement—he also seeks to imitate God’s power in order to lead people astray.
The Problem: Deception Through Counterfeits
J. Robert Clinton cautions:
“Satan can do signs and wonders through a leader so that the leader looks as if he/she is empowered of God (apostolic workers also do signs and wonders).”
The danger lies in equating outward demonstrations of power with spiritual authenticity. Throughout Scripture, false prophets performed wonders that dazzled the crowds but ultimately pointed them away from the living God (Exodus 7:11–12; Matthew 24:24). Leaders who chase after the spectacular without testing the source can easily be ensnared.
The Antidote: Cultivating Discernment
Clinton again offers wise counsel:
“Get discernment on apparent good teaching, apparent dynamic leaders. This may involve having to depend on people with revelatory gifts (discerning of spirits; a word of knowledge; a word of prophecy; a word of wisdom, etc.).”
Discernment is not optional for God’s people—it is essential. It comes through:
Love for the Truth – A heart anchored in Scripture and unwilling to compromise.
Testing the Spirits – Obedience to 1 John 4:1: “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”
Healthy Leadership Accountability – Elders and deacons are called to “hold firmly to the trustworthy message” (Titus 1:9).
Operation of Spiritual Gifts – God equips the church with gifts of discernment, wisdom, and knowledge to guard His people (1 Corinthians 12:7–11).
When the church practices both theological soundness and Spirit-led discernment, she becomes resilient against counterfeit movements.
Reflective Questions
Why were the Bereans considered of more noble character than the Thessalonians? (See Acts 17:10–12)
What implications does Acts 17:10–12 have for Paul’s warnings in today’s text?
Why do some church leaders feel uncomfortable examining and testing the teaching of others in the local church?
What is one of the qualifications and duties of elders and deacons? (See Titus 1:9; 1 Timothy 3:9)
How do the gifts of discernment, knowledge, prophecy, and wisdom function in your local church? (See 1 Corinthians 12:7–11)
Prayer
Father of Light, protect Your church, the Bride of Christ, from the counterfeit actions of the enemy. May we be found as lovers of the truth, standing strong with discerning hearts and sensitive spirits. May the noble character of the Bereans be our example—they received the gospel eagerly while diligently testing everything against Your Word. Grant us spiritual discernment, raise up leaders who uphold sound doctrine, and empower us to think correctly and practice truth faithfully. Guard us from deception and anchor us firmly in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
