Christians Don’t Flaunt Miracles

I am often asked if I have ever witnessed miracles. I have, but I rarely discuss them. First, miracles are not normally for ‘public’ consumption. The miracles I witnessed have been quiet and mostly private. Second, If God wants His miracles public, He will perform them publicly.

In those days, Peter went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran and told that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, “You are mad.” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel!” But Peter continued knocking; and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell this to James and to the brethren.” Then he departed and went to another place.

Acts 12.12-17

In today’s reading from Acts, we see how Saint Peter shared the miracle of his release from prison. He went into the house without fanfare and quietly shared how God saved Him. This should give us a point of reference for miracles. Keep it quiet.

God knows who needs to hear about miracles, or better, for those who need to witness miracles. Sometimes we flaunt miracles because we want to feel special. There is nothing Christian about feeling special.

Modern Christians are obsessed with miracles. I never really understood it. We claim to believe, yet we continually seek miracle proof of God. Is it that we do not really believe? Would hearing about miracle healing change our behavior?

If our behavior doesn’t already reflect our faith in God, I’m not sure hearing about a miracle would change anything. That leaves ‘demanding’ a miracle from God. This normally takes the form of wanting miracle healing for someone close to us. Is that faith?

My advice is that we just sit still and pray that God forgives us our arrogance about miracles. We should beg Him for patience as our behavior doesn’t reflect what we claim to believe. If God chooses to reveal a miracle to you, like Saint Peter, keep it quiet.

Show God your appreciation by changing your behavior. Then when we fall to temptation again, beg His forgiveness. He trusted us with a miracle and we still sin. I don’t see any benefit in flaunting miracles when the same miracles don’t change our behavior.