Signs from God can reveal who He is, give insight into His majesty, and provide guidance when we are confused. During Jesus’ ministry, He made many signs to help people take steps of faith. John 20:30 The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name. [1]
Signs or miracles that Jesus did were always about leading people to faith and for people to continue to believe that He was the Messiah. These signs showed the power of God. They showed that Jesus spoke the truth. Moreover, these signs continue to tell us that Jesus was who He said He was: “The Son of God.”
Tongues of Fire Appear on Believers at Pentecost
When the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost, the Lord placed tongues of fire on the heads of believers who had gathered as a sign that the Spirit had come. This sign impacted them and assured them that God was doing something new! Acts 2:1 On the day of Pentecost, all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. [2]
Why tongues of fire? Tongues may represent communication of the Good News of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit would help people communicate the Gospel. In the Bible, fire symbolizes God’s purifying presence, which burns away the unwanted parts or sins of a person’s life. I believe the Lord wants to help each believer communicate the Good News of Jesus and burn away the sin that hinders the Lord’s message.
Signs From God Need to Match His Word
It is not wrong to ask for a sign from God, but if we receive one, we must ensure God’s word supports it. The Lord would never give us a sign that goes against His written word. Jesus used signs in His ministry to consistently reaffirm the word He was proclaiming. If God gives us a sign and affirms it with His word, He desires us to move forward or act on what He is telling us.
Sometimes God’s plans don’t make sense, and we must trust the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we live by believing and not by seeing.[3] Moses saw the burning bush but had to walk by faith when God called him to free the Israelites. No matter how the Lord is speaking to you can always trust He loves you and wants you to fulfill all the plans He has for you.
To learn more about signs from God, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/empowered-here
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.