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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Nov 278 min read

How Do We Distinguish Miracles from Magic in the Bible and Modern Claims?


Defining Miracles in Biblical Terms


A critical issue in Christian apologetics is distinguishing true miracles, as described in Scripture, from magic and other deceptive or occult phenomena. According to the Bible, a miracle is a supernatural intervention by Jehovah into the natural world. This is not merely an unusual or remarkable event, but an act of divine power that suspends or transcends the natural laws governing the universe. Miracles serve a specific purpose: to confirm God's truth, reveal His glory, and validate His chosen messengers. As stated in John 20:30-31, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”


In contrast, magic, which includes supernormal events or phenomena, is often used by those who claim spiritual power but whose actions are disconnected from Jehovah. Magic seeks to manipulate or control natural forces, while miracles are solely under Jehovah’s control. The difference is more than semantic; it’s a profound distinction between divine power and human or demonic deception.



The Purpose and Nature of Miracles in Scripture


Miracles in the Bible are described using three key terms: power, sign, and wonder. Each term emphasizes a unique aspect of miracles and provides insight into their divine origin and purpose.


  1. Power (Dunamis): The power of a miracle comes from Jehovah, who is omnipotent and transcendent over the universe. A miracle is an act of divine power that cannot be explained by natural law. As seen in Exodus 14:21-22, when Moses parted the Red Sea, this was not a natural event but a display of Jehovah's power, as He controlled the waters to allow the Israelites to pass through on dry ground.

  2. Sign (Semeion): Miracles serve as signs that confirm the truth of Jehovah’s message and the authenticity of His messengers. In the New Testament, the miracles of Jesus were not performed to entertain or amaze but to confirm His divine mission. For example, in Acts 2:22, Peter declares, “Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.”

  3. Wonder (Terata): The wonder of a miracle refers to its awe-inspiring nature. Miracles captivate attention and point observers toward the divine source. They inspire reverence for Jehovah, as seen when Jesus walked on water (Matthew 14:25-27), an event that caused His disciples to worship Him, recognizing Him as the Son of God.



Miracles versus Magic: The Critical Distinction


While both miracles and magic involve extraordinary events, they are fundamentally different in their source, nature, and purpose. The Bible provides clear guidelines for distinguishing between the two, ensuring that believers are not misled by false signs and wonders.


  1. Under Jehovah’s Control: True miracles are always under Jehovah’s sovereign control. Humans cannot summon or command them at will. In contrast, magic, whether in ancient times or today, claims to offer its practitioners control over supernatural forces. This was seen in the sorcerers of Pharaoh's court, who attempted to replicate Jehovah’s miracles performed through Moses, but ultimately failed (Exodus 8:18-19).

  2. Supernatural Power versus Supernormal Power: A biblical miracle is a supernatural event—an interruption of the natural order by Jehovah Himself. Magic, on the other hand, often involves supernormal power, which may seem supernatural but is, in reality, either human manipulation or demonic in origin. For example, the magicians of Egypt could turn rods into serpents (Exodus 7:11-12), but their power was no match for Jehovah’s when Aaron’s rod swallowed their rods.

  3. Association with Good and Truth: Miracles in Scripture always promote good and are associated with the truth of Jehovah’s word. They serve to glorify Jehovah and bring people to a recognition of His sovereignty. Magic, however, is often associated with evil, deception, and lies. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Jehovah explicitly forbids His people from engaging in occult practices such as witchcraft, fortune-telling, and divination, as these practices lead people away from truth.

  4. Miracles Affirm Jesus’ Deity: One of the primary purposes of miracles in the New Testament was to affirm the deity of Jesus Christ. When Jesus performed miracles, He demonstrated His authority as the Son of God, as seen in John 10:37-38: “If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” In contrast, magic and occult practices deny Jesus’ deity and often promote false gods or self-deification.



The Occult and Magic in Scripture


The Bible warns repeatedly against magic and occult practices, identifying them as sources of evil and deception. These practices often involve invoking supernatural powers that are not from Jehovah but from demonic entities. Some of the specific occult practices condemned in Scripture include:


  • Witchcraft: In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Jehovah commands, “There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to Jehovah.”

  • Divination: The practice of attempting to foretell the future through supernatural means, such as fortune-telling, is forbidden in Scripture (Isaiah 47:13-14). Divination was a common practice among pagan nations, but Jehovah forbade His people from engaging in it because it relied on false gods and spirits, not on Him.

  • Astrology: Worshiping the stars or seeking guidance from celestial bodies is condemned in Isaiah 47:13-15. Jehovah's people were to rely on Him alone for guidance and not look to the created order for answers.



False Prophecies and the Biblical Standard


False prophecies and the deceptive use of supernatural claims are another critical way in which magic differs from miracles. The Bible sets a clear and stringent standard for prophets: they must be 100% accurate. Deuteronomy 18:22 instructs, “When a prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that Jehovah has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.” This standard allows no room for error or vague predictions, unlike the failed prophecies of modern psychics.


A prime example of a false prophet in modern times is Jean Dixon, whose widely publicized prophecies frequently failed to come true. Despite her reputation, Dixon made numerous incorrect predictions, such as the onset of World War III in 1954 and the death of Walter Reuther, a labor leader, in 1964. Even her famous prediction of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination was vague, inaccurate in key details, and therefore not comparable to the detailed and precise prophecies found in Scripture, such as Isaiah’s prophecy of King Cyrus by name (Isaiah 45:1).



The Power of Satan and Demonic Deception


The Bible makes it clear that Satan and his demons have significant but limited power. They can perform deceptive signs and wonders, but they cannot perform true miracles as Jehovah does. Revelation 13:13 warns that during the end times, false prophets empowered by Satan will perform great signs to deceive the world. However, these signs are ultimately counterfeit, lacking the divine power that characterizes true miracles from Jehovah.


Satan's power is confined to what Jehovah allows. For example, in the Book of Job, Satan could afflict Job with suffering, but only within the limits Jehovah set (Job 1:12). While Satan is capable of causing harm, he cannot create life or perform acts of true goodness. His power is ultimately destructive, aimed at leading people away from Jehovah. As Jesus said in John 8:44, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.”



Unique Biblical Miracles: A Contrast with Modern Claims


Biblical miracles stand apart from modern claims of supernatural events, including those associated with magic or occult practices. In the Bible, miracles serve to confirm the message of salvation and the authority of Jehovah’s chosen messengers. For example, in Acts 9, Peter raises Dorcas from the dead, not as a spectacle, but as a sign of Jehovah’s power and a testimony to the truth of the gospel.


In contrast, modern claims of miracles or supernatural abilities often lack this divine confirmation. Many so-called miracle workers, such as psychics or faith healers, are exposed as frauds or rely on psychological manipulation rather than true divine power. As shown earlier, the biblical standard for miracles and prophecies is far higher than the vague and often incorrect predictions made by modern psychics like Jean Dixon or Uri Geller.



The Superiority of Biblical Miracles


Biblical miracles are unique in their nature, purpose, and source. They serve to glorify Jehovah, confirm His truth, and reveal His power in ways that no human manipulation or demonic deception can replicate. As the Bible repeatedly warns, believers must be discerning and careful not to be misled by false signs and wonders. Jesus Himself warned in Matthew 24:24 that “false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”


True miracles from Jehovah are marked by their supernatural origin, their confirmation of truth, and their association with righteousness and goodness. Magic, on the other hand, is often a tool of deception, associated with occult practices and falsehoods. As followers of Jesus, we must hold fast to the truth of Jehovah’s Word and be wary of any supernatural claim that does not align with the Bible's teachings.



About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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