Signs: Legitimate or Illegitimate?

A question came in about signs- "Are they a legitimate thing to ask for?"

As with many good theological questions, the answer is yes... and no.

Here are a few relevant texts:

"false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:24)

"the coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)

"An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign" (Matthew 12:39; 16:4)

"Jews demand signs, Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified . . . the power of God . . . " (1 Corinthians 1:22-23)

"And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." Acts 4:29-30

I see five truths about signs from these texts:

1. Signs can be done by demonic power. Matt 24:24, 2 Thess. 2:9-10

There is power in demonic forces to mislead people. We must be careful not to be deceived. Some people will be deceived into believing false things. This begs the question: "What is finally authoritative?" There must be a way for us to determine what is true.

2. Signs can become idolatrous and can be asked for with bad motives. Matt 12:39, 16:4.

You can be so rebellious that you will begin to find "signs" giving you the permission to do what you want to do, even if it is unbiblical. If you ignore clear biblical directives and instead seek out physical signs to determine a course of action, this is a sign of rebellion.

John Piper says

"...seeking signs from God is wicked and adulterous when the demand for more and more evidence comes from a resistant heart and simply covers up an unwillingness to believe. If we are carrying on a love affair with the world, and our husband, Jesus, after a long separation, comes to us and says, "I love you and I want you back," one of the best ways to protect our adulterous relationship with the world is to say, "You're not really my husband; you don't really love me. Prove it. Give me some sign." If that's the way we demand a sign, then we are a wicked and adulterous generation."

3. The Word of God, the gospel in specific, is a higher order of revelation than signs. I Cor 1:22-23, II Tim 3:16

The Word of God is the highest and most authoritative revelation given to mankind. All other forms of revelation must be seen as subject to the Bible. Therefore, the responsibility of Christians is to know the Bible and allow it to determine what we do, and not primarily physical signs, or feelings.

4. Signs are done by God to demonstrate His authority. Acts 4:29-30

The primary purpose for signs in the New Testament was to establish authority. There are no clear examples of physical signs being a means to determining a course of action between multiple options. There is no example of something like someone saying "God please make that chair fall over if you want me to go to the store today." There are some examples of people casting lots in the Old Testament but it is never prescribed as a legitimate option for decision making.

The examples of signs in the New Testament are primarily for demonstrating authority. Jesus healed people because He loved them, but there was also an overall purpose in His miracles to establish and display His authority. The apostles performed signs and wonders so that people would know that what they were saying was authoritative.

5. Signs should be prayed for. Acts 4:29-30

Here's John Piper again:

"...if you come to God with a heart aching with longing for vindication of his glory and the salvation of sinners, and that's why you long to see him stretch forth his hand to heal and do signs and wonders in the name of Jesus, then you are not wicked and adulterous. You are a faithful wife, only wanting to honor your husband, Jesus."

God is authoritative, what He says goes. God sent Jesus as His most clear revelation. Jesus came and changed the world through twelve ordinary men, many of whom were inspired to write the New Testament. The Bible today is the revelation of Jesus Christ and therefore has authority in our lives. Most decisions we make should be pressed through the objective, and authoritative Word. There are other issues that are not directly addressed in Scripture, but there may be principles or implications that would give us our answer.

There are yet other issues for which we have neither principles nor implications. The classic example is- Bob likes two girls and they are both godly women, and nothing would rule them out as a suitable match for him. All things being equal, who should he pursue, and how should he determine which one? He should pray about it, asking God to direct his desires and then pursue the one he likes the most.

Discernment takes discipline, and trying to figure out physical or even emotional signs can be frustrating. The vast majority of difficult decisions we make should be done through understanding what the Bible says, and seeking to apply it to our lives. This is not to say that God can't speak, but it will always be in accord with the revelation of the Bible.

It is legitimate to ask for signs:
So that others will seek after God.
So that God's authority will be established.

It is illegitimate to ask for signs:
When you want to find a reason to do what you want to do.
When you put more stock in a feeling or a physical sign, than in the Bible.
When you require more direction on an issue that is clearly addressed in the Bible.