Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts:
Exodus 7:11
Years ago, I knew a brother who was fervent in the Lord but had a weakness. He spent much of his time praying for anointing to manifest in the world. While this desire is certainly legitimate for any child of God, his obsession with power and the need for its manifestation blinded him to the reality that power exists both in God’s kingdom and in the darkness. We parted ways when I entered the University, but four years later, when I asked the brethren about him, the stories were heartbreaking. He had been deceived and led away from true faith.
What happened in Egypt shows us a glimpse of the possibilities that exist in darkness. The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ then say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a snake.” (Exodus 7:8-9)
The bible tells us that Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them, when they did, the staff turned into a snake. However, something really interesting happened. “Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs”. (Exodus 7:11-12)
Just imagine, each of the magicians threw down their staff, and it instantly turned into a snake. Through the power of darkness, they replicated what Moses and Aaron did using the power of God. Of course, in the end, the power of God prevailed, but the point remains, miracles are not solely reserved for God.
What does this mean for us? We cannot live our lives solely by supernatural experiences; instead, we must anchor ourselves in the living word of God. A man can accurately prophesy through the spirit of divination or even produce a miracle baby by the power of the devil. If we do not hold fast to what is true, we can be deceived. However, as long as we hold onto God’s word, everything will be fine.
Lord, your word says that many false prophets have gone into the world to deceive men, and also warns that he that thinks he stands should be careful lest he falls. Lord, please keep me standing on the absolute truth of your word above any experience.
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