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 thisthe

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

gospelthe 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