Counterfeit

In most crime shows there is at least one episode involving something
counterfeit: currency, artwork, even identities. While many of these shows
depict the criminals using state-of-the-art technology to create their
fakes, they are really just using the newest toys to commit the oldest
crimes. People have needed a way to spot forgeries for ages. But how do
they do it? I once heard a story about an FBI agent who talked about
methods of spotting counterfeit money. Holding up a crisp twenty-dollar
bill, the agent said the best way to catch a fake was to study this—the
real thing. They don’t study the endless ways something could be made
counterfeit; they study the details of the real thing. In the Bible,
teachers like Paul were constantly warning fellow Christians about false
(or counterfeit) teachers. So, should we go around assuming no teacher can
be trusted? That won’t work, because the Bible makes it clear we need
mentors, teachers, and trusted friends to help us grow. Instead, we can
learn from the FBI’s counterfeit-spotting techniques. To recognize a fake,
we need to study the real thing, aka the Bible. In the book of Genesis, we
can learn about the first counterfeit truth ever told to Eve and Adam
(chapter 3). Because humans listened to a lie and rebelled against God, our
relationship with our Creator was broken. But that wasn’t the end of the
story. Throughout the Old Testament, God prepared to send His Son, Jesus
Christ, who is called not only “the truth,” but also “the way” and “the
life” (John 14:6). Jesus didn’t just teach us about the way to be made
right with God, He literally made the way for us through His death and
resurrection. The gospel is the greatest treasure, and we surely wouldn’t
want a counterfeit of it. • Abigail Scibiur • How does focusing on Jesus
help us recognize counterfeit teachings? • The Christians in Galatia
started following a false teaching, so Paul reminded them of the true
gospel—the good news about Jesus dying and rising from the dead to forgive
us and make us right with God. Paul explained these truths and urged the
Galatians to reject false teachings (Galatians 1:6-8; 3:1”“ 4:7). Who are
trusted Christians in your life who could help you discern false messages
by comparing them to the gospel? Do you have any questions you could ask
them about now? (You can also learn more about the gospel on the “Know
Jesus” page.) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NIV)

Read Verses:

1 Timothy 6:3-1 Timothy 6:16; John 14:6