Spotting the Counterfeit

A counterfeit is something that is false but has the appearance of truth. Fishermen are very familiar with this type of deception, especially when choosing a man-made fly to catch a trout or salmon. To the fish it looks like good food but it’s actually a death trap.

In our own search for good spiritual food, in a world ruled by the Devil, the father of lies (John 8:44), it’s inevitable that he’ll seek to deceive us with counterfeits of the Bread of Life. This can include false manifestations of power seeming to come from the Holy Spirit, such as false comfort, false healing and false deliverance. The problem is that when we embrace a counterfeit, we give the enemy spiritual authority over that area of our lives. This not only leads to bondage, but can block the true wholeness and freedom that God has planned for our lives.

All counterfeits are best exposed by our increasing familiarity with the truth (John 8:31-32) and it’s often said that those employed to spot counterfeit money are best trained by handling large quantities of what’s real. Then the false is easily identified. It’s important that the followers of Jesus are wise to the ways of the enemy. Particularly in these end times we need to be submitting only to the Good Shepherd, as He makes Himself known to us with increasing certainty, through the work of the Holy Spirit.

If we have followed a counterfeit it’s important to confess, and receive the Lord’s forgiveness and release from all that’s false and harmful to us. We don’t need to walk in fear or condemnation. The trout may not get a second chance but, by God’s grace, we do!

Prayer: Father, teach me to be sure of the voice of the Good Shepherd so I won’t be deceived when offered a counterfeit. Amen.