I've heard that there are experts who can immediately spot a counterfeit 20 dollar bill.
For me, the counterfeit bill would have to be pretty obvious or I don't think I'd recognize it as fake.
In the diamond industry, an expert can easily spot the difference between a cubic zirconia and a diamond.
For me, the CZ would have to be pretty bad for me to see that it's not remotely as clear and brilliant as a diamond.
In the fashion industry, there are knock-offs of the original big-name designer handbags or shoes or outfits. Sometimes I can tell the difference; sometimes not.
The counterfeits in money or jewelry or fashion keep on getting better at fooling us regular people.
But the experts—those who regularly stare at and judge the quality of the real thing—are not fooled.
Just so when it comes to recognizing the difference between truth and error in the spiritual realm.
To recognize error, we must first get to be experts at the truth.
Jesus said, as He prayed to His Father, "Thy Word is truth."(John 17: 17)
And so, when we regularly stare at and examine and memorize and meditate on and apply God's truth...
we begin to become experts on His truth.
Then we have an easy time recognizing the counterfeit, even a counterfeit that seems very similar to the truth.
Then, when you hear someone say that:
The God of the Bible is the same as the god of Islam, Allah
that all paths lead to heaven or God
that Jesus was just another avatar (like Buddha or Krishna) of peace and wisdom
that so-and-so (insert name) was a good man/woman); surely he/she will get into heaven
that we need to tolerate obvious immorality in our society because tolerance is a society's highest virtue
"Well my god is loving: he wouldn't send anyone to hell."
that being kind means that we never disagree with anyone else's skewed spiritual beliefs...
You know that each of these statements is false and is not based on Gods truth as revealed in in His Word.
And since you are an expert on God's truth, you know exactly how to gently refute those who tell you these lies.
You don't have shrug and feel helpless to discuss this error. You don't have to refer anyone to your pastor or elder or more knowledgeable friend.
You yourself know the difference between truth and error.
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth."(John 16:13)
"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful tor teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16)
(All scripture verses come from the NIV Bible)
For me, the counterfeit bill would have to be pretty obvious or I don't think I'd recognize it as fake.
In the diamond industry, an expert can easily spot the difference between a cubic zirconia and a diamond.
For me, the CZ would have to be pretty bad for me to see that it's not remotely as clear and brilliant as a diamond.
In the fashion industry, there are knock-offs of the original big-name designer handbags or shoes or outfits. Sometimes I can tell the difference; sometimes not.
The counterfeits in money or jewelry or fashion keep on getting better at fooling us regular people.
But the experts—those who regularly stare at and judge the quality of the real thing—are not fooled.
Just so when it comes to recognizing the difference between truth and error in the spiritual realm.
To recognize error, we must first get to be experts at the truth.
Jesus said, as He prayed to His Father, "Thy Word is truth."(John 17: 17)
And so, when we regularly stare at and examine and memorize and meditate on and apply God's truth...
we begin to become experts on His truth.
Then we have an easy time recognizing the counterfeit, even a counterfeit that seems very similar to the truth.
Then, when you hear someone say that:
The God of the Bible is the same as the god of Islam, Allah
that all paths lead to heaven or God
that Jesus was just another avatar (like Buddha or Krishna) of peace and wisdom
that so-and-so (insert name) was a good man/woman); surely he/she will get into heaven
that we need to tolerate obvious immorality in our society because tolerance is a society's highest virtue
"Well my god is loving: he wouldn't send anyone to hell."
that being kind means that we never disagree with anyone else's skewed spiritual beliefs...
You know that each of these statements is false and is not based on Gods truth as revealed in in His Word.
And since you are an expert on God's truth, you know exactly how to gently refute those who tell you these lies.
You don't have shrug and feel helpless to discuss this error. You don't have to refer anyone to your pastor or elder or more knowledgeable friend.
You yourself know the difference between truth and error.
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth."(John 16:13)
"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful tor teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16)
(All scripture verses come from the NIV Bible)
My Dad spent his entire career in the banking industry. The best way to spot a counterfeit was to know the real deal.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Susan, that is so true. thanks for your comment.
ReplyDelete