The purpose of a counterfeit is simple, it is to appear as something genuine. Sometimes it is so close to the original it’s difficult to tell which is which. But in every case, there is something telling that if you look close enough that something will stand out so you can tell the difference between what is real versus what is a fake.

It is common practice when you desperately want something that you know is wrong for you, to go out of your way to justify being on the wrong path because the counterfeit, looks close enough.

2 Corinthians 11:14

“No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

The Enemy is the ultimate counterfeit. He loves that you blow him off, that he’s like a cartoon in your head, because when you’re not concerned and alert then he has free reign. He searches out every possible area looking for where he can deceive.

1 Thessalonians 5:12

“Test all things. Hold fast to that which is good.”

Most people, including believers, don’t test to see if something’s counterfeit if it seems real enough. People stay in relationships that they know are bad but they make excuses to keep them going.

Banks teach their employees what’s counterfeit by giving them real money to handle for hours on end so that when a fake bill comes across their fingers they recognize it immediately. Likewise, spending time in scripture will help you determine what is of God because you’ll spend so much time in the truth that you will recognize when something is false.

The enemy cannot read your thoughts but he can read your actions. He brings something you think you need, disguised as the real thing. Be in the habit of spending so much time with God – in His word, with His people, at church – that you will know a counterfeit when you see it simply because you have spent so much time with that which is true.