Mike Focht 7/3/2026
Before I point out a simple way to unmask false miracle workers, I think it is important to differentiate between pagan supernatural power and deception. Pagan supernatural power has real supernatural power behind what it is doing, but that power is demonic. In the Scriptures, we see these types of pagan worshipers in the Egyptian magicians. Pagan sorcerers can be a channel for demonic power to a point, but eventually, the power of God always prevails.
Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. So there were lice on man and beast. Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the LORD said (Exodus 8:18-19).
So too, in different areas of the world today, the question is not: Does the God of the Bible exist? The question is: Is the God of the Bible more powerful than our pagan gods? Pagan gods that are “effective” in a demonic, fearful, and supernatural way are one thing. I am not speaking about them here. These situations are far less prevalent in our present American society.
On the other hand, false miracle workers are everywhere in America and online, but they have no real power behind their supposed supernatural acts. They have claims. They have videos on YouTube. They have followers. They have money. They have stages, lights, ministries, and money, but they have no true miracles. All their acts are deception and showtime.
I am going to give you one way to spot a false miracle worker. There are many, but this is one that will probably disqualify nearly half of these supernatural salesmen. If they can explain their miracle, if they are trying to sell you on a “repeatable method,” they are a false miracle worker.
The logic of this is simple. If you can explain how a miracle works, it is no longer a miracle. I can explain how a flashlight works. Therefore, flashlights are not miraculous. You cannot have a natural cause for something supernatural. Moses never tried to explain how the Red Sea parted. Joshua never tried to explain how the walls of Jericho fell down. Elisha never tried to explain how an entire army went blind. Daniel never tried to explain how the lions’ mouths were shut. Jesus says no one can explain the new birth; we can only see its effects. I could go on and on.
False miracle workers peddle their personal “methods” in books, live teachings, and online courses (all for a fee, of course!), assuming desperate or hurting people won’t ask a simple question: How can anyone do something that would force God to accomplish the miraculous?
Again, let’s run my test through the Word of God. Elisha did the most miracles in the Old Testament. Does the Scripture give us any method to follow in relation to his miracle-working? Not at all. Jesus, our Example, had no clear methods in His miracles. Sometimes He spoke. Sometimes He touched. Sometimes He spit and made mud. He never once gave a method. He never once said, If you want to do the miraculous, do it like this. We can say the same of Paul the Apostle, who probably performed more recorded miracles in the New Testament than anyone other than Jesus. Can you imagine Paul trying to explain the “method” of healing people with his sweaty rags? The very idea is preposterous.
The Word of God records thousands of miracles happening. It never once tries to explain how they happened, other than to say that the finger of God was at work. True miracles cannot be explained. That is why we call them miracles. Anyone who tries to explain or sell you a method for miracles is a false miracle worker that you should avoid at all costs.