As this bad tree grows, it bears more bad “fruit.” Since these miracle workers use Jesus’ name, they clearly claim to represent Jesus. Yet, since Jesus has never known them, they cannot represent Him truthfully or well. The result has to be misrepresentation.
“Did we not prophecy? Did we not do many mighty works in Your name?” (Matthew 7:22).
Look at the “fruit” in the lives of the followers. Whatever your own personal experience may have been, try this: Try to put yourself in the place of two different followers. The first is the follower who has a positive experience. You trust the miracle-worker and you see his prophecies come true, feel that a demon has been cast out, and see “mighty works” accomplished in Jesus’ name. (Jesus lists these in Matthew 7:22. As miracles are defined today, the list expands to you finding a job, solving a relationship problem, surviving an accident, getting a promotion, feeling healed, seeing a loved one blessed, and more.) As a follower who benefits, you feel confirmed in your faith. You trust the miracle-worker all the more and follow wherever he leads. But remember, in Matthew 7, this is a miracle-worker who has no relationship with Jesus (“I never knew you”). Now suppose that someone points out the miracle-worker’s “lawlessness.” Will you follow the real Jesus of Scripture or the imagined ‘Jesus’ in whose name you benefited? Will you believe God’s Gospel, or the gospel confirmed by your own cherished experience?
Now consider the second follower whose experience is negative. Put yourself in his place. You sincerely believe in this miracle-worker (not realizing that he is a fraud to whom Jesus will later say, “I never knew you”). The miracle-worker assures you, in Jesus’ name, “If you just believe you will be healed.” You apply all the faith you can muster. But your illness is not the kind that responds to the power of suggestion. No healing is forthcoming. Rather than expose himself, the miracle-worker blames you: “You lack faith…. You believe in Satan’s power over your body more than God’s…. You must confess your sin and repent.” You came with the burden of severe illness and you leave with that same burden plus an overwhelming burden of guilt and self-blame. You offered the best faith they knew how to bring. Now your spirit is crushed by the dreadful thought that God rejects you.
In the face of deep disappointment, there may seem to be few options left:
- You can faithfully follow the miracle-worker and make the necessary adjustment.
- You can question whether God keeps his promises. After all, you know that you came in sincere faith, and you know that you are not healed. So what other conclusion can there be, but that God’s promises failed? The wide road to destruction (Matthew 7:13) includes many who (needlessly) reject God because they (mistakenly) give up hope. They think God does not care, or even that God does not exist.
- You can realize that it is neither your faith, nor God’s promise, that has failed. It is the faith-healer that has made false claims.