We understand from the last post that everyone who is of God has the authority to perform miracles. But not everyone who performs miracles is of God. In other words: miracles do not validate the godliness of those who do them.

1. He who is of God can perform miracles. 
2. He who is not of God but preaches God’s Word can also perform miracles. 
3. Demons can perform “miracles” too.

Therefore, 2 out of 3 miracles may come from a person who is not of God, and 1 in 3 may come from the devil himself through one his servants.

“Bishop, if that’s the case, it is best not to seek or believe in miracles so I won’t be deceived.” Not quite so. Miracles are God’s gifts to those in need. So yes, we ought to have faith and seek the miracles we need. But we must also be careful about the messengers we seek our miracles from.

Please understand: The big problem is to think that the miracle is proof that the messenger is godly. And one has nothing to do with the other. As God doesn’t discriminate against the sinner when blessing him with a miracle, He can also use an ungodly person to work a miracle for the sincere seeker.

So, the question is: If doing miracles in God’s name doesn’t prove a person’s godliness, then how can we identify the true man or woman of God?

As you might already suspect, he who is of God practices the Word of God. Just preaching, teaching, quoting, or studying the Word of God does not make a person godly—only the practice of it. And may I add: the practice of the Word as a whole, not only what is convenient to him. I don’t mean perfection, but the sincere effort to practice every word God says, even when it’s unpleasant to him.

The apostle John cautioned Gaius, the disciple, about Diotrephes, a church leader who was full of pride and sought his own glory: He that does good is of God: he that does evil hath not seen God. 3 John 11

It is clear, then, what makes a person godly and what doesn’t.

Here’s how you identify the man or woman of God: watch their character and behavior, especially among those who are very close to them. If he or she’s married, start by watching their relationship with their spouse. Next, see how he or she behaves toward their peers, and how they deal with the major human temptations: money, power, pride, emotions, and lust.

I know it’s not always possible to know someone that close. The miracle seeker doesn’t usually know the miracle messenger that well. (That’s why the messenger’s marriage is usually the best thermometer, followed by his nearest relations). But as our Lord said: There is nothing hidden that shall not be revealed, and a tree shall be known by its fruit.

Just remember that miracles are not fruit.