The divine beauty of butterflies serve as a lovely reminder for us to appreciate and venerate God, their Creator. Though it’s plausible that God might use such marvels as signs, we’re reminded to refrain from testing Him.
God’s Word (the Bible), with the help of the Holy Spirit, is sufficient to guide us as we live out our lives.
With their intricate beauty and incredible transformative lifecycle, it can be tempting to spiritualize butterflies and apply a special meaning to their appearance. Some believe they’re a sign of luck, others that a long-lost loved one is with them. But does that honor God?
Let’s take a closer look at butterflies and find out how Christians should view them according to the Bible.
Butterflies Declare God’s Glory
When we see the beauty and design of creation, we are to worship the Creator. In fact, the wonder and miracle of life itself is enough for man to acknowledge that the eternal, all-powerful God is real. So, butterflies, as part of creation, have the sole purpose of pointing us to the glory of God.
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:19-21 (ESV)
Butterflies Are A Beautiful Reminder
There is another aspect of butterflies that should remind us of the power of God. You studied it at school as a child—the lifecycle of a butterfly. That little squishy caterpillar grows, builds a cocoon around itself, dissolves into goo, and pops out as a breathtakingly beautiful creation! Wow!
While the lifecycle of a butterfly isn’t spiritual in any way (besides reminding us of God’s power and majesty in creation), we can see some parallels between its lifecycle and receiving the precious gift of salvation.
If I accept that Jesus is God, that He died in my place on the cross to pay for my sins, and received the fullness of God the Father’s anger on my behalf so that I can be forgiven and reconciled to Him—I am saved! God makes me new and clothes me in righteousness. I am united with Christ. The old passes away—I’m made alive forever!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Does God Give Us Signs?
God is omnipotent (all-powerful) and works in mysterious ways. His ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts our thoughts (Is 55:8). We know that God used signs and wonders throughout the Old and New Testament to reveal His power (Jer 32:20), to remind His people who He is, to confirm the identity of Christ (John 2:23), and to build His church (Matt 10:1).
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There are times when God, in His perfect wisdom, uses situations, people, and events to influence us—but our hope should never be in those things. Our hope is in Christ alone. He warns us in Scripture not to test Him (Luke 4:12) and He promises a special blessing to those who believe His Word without seeing the signs and miracles, like Jesus’ resurrection, firsthand (John 20:29).
Scripture also warns us against false prophets who perform signs and wonders. The evil one uses signs and wonders to distract and deceive people, even followers of God. Test every message, sign, and teacher against God’s Word. The Holy Spirit will help you discern whether it is of God or not.
Matthew 24:24 (ESV) For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
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A Greater Sign than a Butterfly
Beloved, you don’t need luck, shooting stars, or to see a butterfly to know that God is real, that He has a plan for your life, and that He loves you. You have something far greater, more beautiful than a butterfly—God has given you Himself!
Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
