In Mark 8:11–13, the Pharisees demand a miraculous sign from heaven in order to once again “test” Jesus. But his response is a typical sharp rebuke:
“Why does this evil society seek a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” (Mark 8:12, One God Father, One Man Messiah Translation/Commentary)
This reminds me of so many Christians today, especially those influenced by the Pentecostal spirit, who often seek after signs of spiritual gifts (e.g., speaking in tongues, healings, or prophetic words) as affirmation of God’s active presence and power in the church. Some even make the one gift of so-called “tongues” a necessary sign of being a truly “born again” or “spirit-filled” Christian.
My point is both the Pharisees of Jesus’ day and some Christians today are operating under that same spirit, irrespective of core beliefs like: What is the gospel; Who is God, who is Jesus, etc.?
In other words, the demand for a sign of spiritual gifts is out of unbelief to the teachings of Jesus!
Mark 8 shows that Jesus refused to play into this sort of “sign-seeking faith” over and against true faith in who Jesus was and why he was sent. And both Scripture and early Christian history shows that sound doctrine and discipleship rests not on chasing after a sign, but on discernment to test all spirits, human or angelic!
In 1Cor 12.10 Paul commands Christians to pursue wisdom and discernment, defined by Paul as the ability to distinguish between spirits. This is essential in order to act upon the warnings we find scattered throughout the Bible from the Old (Deut. 13.1-3) to the New Testament (1 John 4).
In Deuteronomy 13 Moses warned Israel
13 “If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,’ 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.
And in 1 John 4:
4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Note: those claim spiritual gifts seem to ignore these commandments and instead attack other Christians whore trying to obey them!
This warning explains why at his parousia many self-professed Christians will ask Jesus: ‘lord, lord, did we not preach for you and drive out demons in your name, and perform many miracles with your authority?’ Mat 7.22 [NOTE that Jesus did not reply saying, Oh no you didn’t!]
But instead: ‘I never recognized you. Depart from me, you who practice wickedness,” that is practitioners of evil!
Later, Paul in 2Thess 2:9 warns that this same evil will come “according to the working of Satan in all power and signs and wonders.”
10 His wicked deceptions will completely fool those who are on the way to destruction, as a punishment for their refusal to develop a passion for the truth in order to be saved.
NOTE the contrast between “the working of Satan” and the preaching of the Kingdom-Gospel that the writer to the Hebrews says was verified “by signs and wonders, by various works of power and by gifts of the Holy Spirit.” Heb. 2:4 And we also know that the gifts served to confirm what the Spirit taught regarding Who God and Jesus are.
The fact is that there is a satanic counterfeit so effective that it will camouflage the deception that will ensnare, “if possible” Jesus warns, “even the elect,” i.e., the chosen people of God (Mat 24.24)! Yet, “no wonder,” Paul also warns, “For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”
So do not be surprised if Satan’s servants make themselves look like servants who work for what is right.” 2Cor 11.14-15a
1 Peter 4:10 adds that each Christian has a responsibility “as a good manager of God’s different gifts, to use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God.”
So, if you believe the Spirit is active irrespective of other beliefs (as we non-trinis understand them), how will this serve the good of others who do not share the same faith? In other words, we know that those “sign-seeking-faith” Christians who claim spiritual gifts do not even consider non-trinis part of the body of Christ.
Heck, in their eyes we’re not even Christians! And some even see us as worse than Muslims!
So how would their sign of spiritual gifts be for our benefit, let alone legitimate according to the teachings of Jesus?
Summary
I would urge you to resist the temptation of “sign-seeking faith.” Instead of equating “spiritual gifts” with spiritual maturity, Jesus calls us to focus on sound doctrine, starting with his gospel of the kingdom. Because the true mark of the Spirit’s work is not to seek after a sign, Satan and his demons are very capable of that!
The warning is of satanic counterfeit that could deceive even the elect (Matthew 24:24), emphasizing the need for discernment during this present evil age.
Matt 24:24 For false messiahs and false prophets will come along, and they will perform amazing signs and miracles in order to deceive even the elect, if possible.
25 Look, I have told you this before it happens.
