Liba Hopeson
In the Old Testament, “signs and wonders” refer to the mighty acts of God that revealed His power, presence, and authority. These included the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, manna from heaven, water from the rock, and many other miracles. These were not mere displays of power; they were meant to show who God is and to lead His people to trust, obey, and worship Him. At the beginning, the Israelites responded well. After crossing the Red Sea, they feared the Lord and believed in Him. They sang, they followed, and they acknowledged His greatness.
However, as we read further, a pattern clearly emerges. Though they experienced extraordinary miracles, their faith did not last. When they faced hunger, thirst, or difficulty, they complained and doubted. They questioned God’s presence and demanded proof again and again, as seen in places like Exodus 17 and Numbers 14. Instead of remembering what God had already done, they kept asking for new signs.
Over time, it becomes evident that they were drawn more to the signs and wonders than to God Himself. They loved what God did, but they did not remain loyal to who He is. They were, in a sense, “addicted” to miracles. When miracles were present, they believed; when difficulties came, they forgot. The signs impressed them, but they did not transform them. Their problem was not lack of evidence, but lack of a steady and obedient heart. These signs, though powerful, did not sustain their faith. They believed for a moment, but they did not endure. They followed God when it was easy, but turned away when it became difficult. Their faith was based on experience, not on a deep trust in God’s Word. This is a serious warning: it is possible to experience many miracles and still not truly know or trust God.
Why did their faith not last? The Bible gives a clear answer. Their problem was not external evidence but internal condition. Scripture repeatedly describes them as having hardened hearts and lacking true faith. Hebrews 3:12 warns about “an evil, unbelieving heart” that turns away from the living God. Psalm 95:10 says they “always go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.” Psalm 106:13 shows another key issue: “They soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel.” Exodus 32:9 also describes them as a “stiff-necked people.” In other words, they saw God’s works but did not submit their hearts to God’s Word. Their problem was not absence of miracles, but absence of a heart anchored in obedience and remembrance of God’s Word.
In the New Testament, we see that signs and wonders continue, and Jesus Himself performed many miracles. He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, cast out demons, calmed storms, fed the multitudes, and even raised the dead. These works clearly show that signs and wonders are not bad in themselves. They are good and meaningful. They reveal God’s power, and they serve to align with and support the message of God’s Word, point people to Him, and authenticate His messengers. However, the New Testament also makes it very clear that signs are not the main goal. They are not meant to replace faith, obedience, or the Word of God. They are signs—they point beyond themselves.
At the same time, the Bible shows that signs are not enough to produce true and lasting faith. Israel saw many miracles, yet they still rebelled. During Jesus’ ministry, many people saw His miracles but did not believe in Him. John 12:37 says that even after so many signs, they still did not believe. In John 6:26, Jesus rebuked the crowd because they followed Him not for who He is, but because they ate the bread and were satisfied. This shows that their interest was in the benefit, not in the Person of Christ. This reveals a deep problem: people can be attracted to miracles but not to God. They may seek benefits, not truth. They may follow for what they receive, not for who God is.
The Bible also gives serious warnings about over-dependence on signs. Jesus said, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign” (Matthew 12:39). This does not mean all signs are wrong, but that demanding signs as the basis of faith is wrong. This is clearly seen when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. Satan asked Him to throw Himself down from the temple to prove that God would protect Him. Jesus replied, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test” (Matthew 4:7). This teaches us that forcing God to act is not faith, and demanding signs is not trust. True faith obeys God’s Word without trying to manipulate Him or demand visible proof.
Even in the New Testament, the Bible warns that signs alone are not a safe foundation for faith. Jesus Himself said that false christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Matthew 24:24). Paul also warns that the coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by “all power and false signs and wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9–10). This shows that supernatural activity by itself is not proof of divine truth. In the last days, deception can also be powerful and convincing. Therefore, not every sign or spiritual experience should be accepted without testing. Everything must be examined in the light of God’s Word, because truth is not determined by power or display, but by alignment with Scripture.
The consistent teaching of the Bible is that true faith comes through the Word of God, not through spectacle. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from hearing… the word of Christ.” The Word of God convicts, teaches, corrects, and transforms. Even in miracles, the miracle is not the goal—the message is the goal. A clear example is the raising of Lazarus in John 11. Some believed when they saw it, but others went and plotted to kill Jesus. The same miracle produced different responses, because the heart matters more than the sign. Signs can impress people, but they do not change the heart. Only the Word of God, received with faith, can do that.
The Word of God must be valued above everything else because it is not just “true,” but it is “truth” itself (John 17:17). This difference is important. Something that is “true” describes something that is correct or accurate in a situation. But “truth” is the ultimate reality of God’s revelation, by which everything else is measured. In simple terms, “true” describes agreement with reality, but “truth” is the foundation that defines reality itself in God’s perspective. God’s Word is not just one true thing among many—it is the final authority that decides what is true and what is false.
This means the Word of God stands above all human opinions, experiences, visions, and revelations. It is the ultimate standard that judges every worldview, every action, and every spiritual claim. Even to know whether a vision or a prohecy is from God or not, the Word of God must be used. Without this, people can easily be deceived. But when Scripture is our highest authority, we are protected and guided in truth.
There is also a common misunderstanding of Jesus’ words, “you will do greater works.” This does not refer to more spectacular miracles, but to a wider scope and deeper spiritual impact. After Pentecost, the gospel spread through the preaching of the Word, and thousands believed in Christ. This is the “greater” work—not because it is more dramatic, but because it brings people from spiritual death into new life. In this sense, the greatest miracle is not the healing of the body, but the transformation of the soul through the power of the gospel.
When we look at our present context, we must honestly admit that the same problem seen in Israel and in Jesus’ time is still present today. Many people are more interested in signs and wonders than in the Word of God. There is a strong attraction to programs where miracles, visions, and prophecies are emphasized. People are willing to travel, spend time, and make sacrifices to attend such gatherings. However, when it comes to Bible study, the response is often very weak. Even when Bible study is organized, many do not attend. This shows where the heart is. What we truly value, we will make time for.
The Word of God is living and powerful. It touches the heart, convicts of sin, and transforms lives. It is also described as the only offensive weapon in spiritual warfare. Even Jesus, when He was tempted, did not perform a miracle—He used the Word of God. He said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). By this, Jesus meant that true life is not sustained merely by physical needs or material provision, but by dependence on God’s Word, which is the source of spiritual life and obedience to God. Our spiritual life is sustained by the Word, not by miracles. Faith grows not by seeing signs, but by hearing and obeying the Word of God.
It must be made clear: this is not a rejection of signs and wonders. They have their place. They can touch hearts, awaken interest, and draw people toward God. But they must not be overemphasized. The real problem today is not that signs exist, but that they are often given more importance than the Word of God. Many people value visions, revelations, and present-day prophecies more than Scripture. This is dangerous. When what is secondary becomes primary, confusion and error will follow.
In many cases, people are ready to leave everything and attend programs focused on signs and wonders, but they are not willing to attend Bible study. This reveals where the true interest lies. If the Word of God is neglected, spiritual life will become shallow and unstable. A church that does not prioritize the Word cannot be a strong and living church.
At the same time, there are encouraging examples. It is good to hear that proper Bible study is conducted in places like City Church Kohima, where even educated individuals, including professors, take time to study God’s Word seriously. This is a healthy sign. Others can learn from this and develop similar practices. Churches can organize Bible study camps, teaching programs, and regular study gatherings. The goal is to build believers who are rooted in Scripture.
In conclusion, signs and wonders have a place in God’s work, but they are not the foundation of faith. They point to God, but they cannot replace Him. They may attract people, but they cannot sustain them. Only the Word of God can do that. We must not be like the Israelites who chased signs and wonders but turned away from God in times of difficulty. Their failure is a warning for us today. True faith is not tested in moments of miracles, but in moments of hardship.
Because the Word of God is the ultimate truth and final authority, it must be valued above all else. It judges every experience, every belief, and every claim. If we do not hold firmly to the Word, we will be easily led astray. Unless we love the Word of God above all, we cannot grow as strong Christians, and we cannot build a living, healthy church. The greatest need today is not more signs, but a deeper hunger for the Word of God.
