To counterfeit means to imitate something. Counterfeit products are fake replicas of the real product. Counterfeit products are often produced with the intent to take advantage of the superior value of the imitated product. The word counterfeit frequently describes both the forgeries of currency and documents, as well as the imitations of works of art, toys, clothing, software,[citation needed] pharmaceuticals, watches, electronics, handbags and shoes. Counterfeit products have a fake company logos and brands. In the case of goods, it results in patent infringement or trademark infringement. Illegal drugs may also be counterfeit, e.g. by passing off baking soda as cocaine, a scam which relies on the naiveté of the buyer. Counterfeit consumer products have a reputation for being low quality.
The counterfeiting of money is usually attacked aggressively by governments. The counterfeiting of goods is condoned by some governments. Counterfeit money is the most popular product counterfeited.
Now applying the same principle in our relationship with God, who are counterfeit Christians? The Scriptures divide the children of the world in to two: a). “children of God” and b). “the children of the devil” (1 John 3:10). There is also another category who are very moral and religious people, but never born of God (1 John 3:9) and who did not experience spiritual life personally, and they are called Satan’s children or as counterfeit Christians. We tend to think that “children of the devil” will be people who live in gross sin, but such is not always the case.
Counterfeit Christians are something like
counterfeit money! Very often we think of a counterfeit
bill as real, and with that we buy groceries, fill up our gas tanks, and
when it really goes to the bank, the teller tests it out and say, “I am sorry, this bill is a counterfeit.” Oops!
That bill would have done lots of good while it was in circulation, but its
finale was when it arrived at the bank! So it is with counterfeit Christians;
they may do very many good things in life, but when they face the final
judgment seat, they will be exposed and then it will be too late to do anything
else. Each one of us should ask ourselves honestly, “Am I a true child of God, or am I a counterfeit Christian? Have I truly
been born of God?”
We all have a mind to think with, a heart
to feel, and a will to make decisions and we some times refer to these aspects
of our personality as intellect, will, and emotions. As we have regular
fellowship with God, in reading and studying His Word and in prayer, the Holy
Spirit will be able to control our minds, heart and will and He is able to
bring every thought in obedience to Christ. 3” For though we walk in the
flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For
the weapons of our warfare are
not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting
down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of
God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and
being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”2
Cori 10: 3-5.
Dishonest
believers lose fellowship with God and with God’s people, and as a result
prayer becomes an empty form to them. There is no middle ground in the life
that is real: truth vs. lies; love vs. hatred; and obedience vs. disobedience.
This true life was revealed in Jesus Christ, and it was experienced by those
who trusted Christ, and it can be shared by those who are in Christ. When we
are open and honest there is no stain of hypocrisy, and no pretension and we
are not self- deceived. A person who professes to be a Christian but does not
live in obedience, love, and truth is either deceived or a deceiver. A child
bears the nature of an earthly father, and a person who has been, born of God will reveal the
characteristics of the heavenly Father.
Questions and how do we apply God’s
truth?
Was there a time in our life when we were
moral or even religious, yet not a “child
of God”? By what characteristics do we identify “counterfeit Christians” with whom we may come into contact? Even
when one’s Christian commitment is genuine, what are some “counterfeit” behaviors that affect spiritual growth?
“Ain’t nothing like the real thing”
2 “Beloved, dnow we are
children of God; and eit
has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is
revealed, fwe
shall be like Him, for gwe
shall see Him as He is.”
1 John: 3:2. (References: d. Is: 56:5; Rom 8:15; e. Rom
8:18, 19, 23; f. Rom 8:29; 2 Pet1:4; g. Ps: 16:11).
Does our life bear the marks of obedience,
love, and truth? Is our Christian life
something real? Is it genuine? Is it
authentic? OR is it a counterfeit?
References:
1. Dr. Ed Murphy. The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson
Publishers, 1992, 1996, pgs: 432-436.
2. Jay E. Adams. Critical Stages of
Biblical Counseling, Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started. New
Jersey
3. Jay E. Adams. How to Help People Change, The Four-step Biblical Process.Grand
Rapids
4. John F. MacArthur, JR.Wayne Nashville
5. Jay E. Adams. Lectures on Counseling.Grand
Rapids
3. Jay E. Adams. How to Help People Change, The Four-step Biblical Process.
4. John F. MacArthur, JR.
5. Jay E. Adams. Lectures on Counseling.
6. The Holy Bible, New King James
Version, Women of Destiny Bible. Women Mentoring women Through the Scriptures,
A Spirit Filled Life Bible. Nashville ,
Tennessee
7. Warren W. Wiersbe. Devotions for
confidence & Integrity, Hebrews & John. Colorado ,
Springs, Colorado
Website
References:
1. John 1 NKJV - The Eternal Word - In the beginning was - Bible Gateway
The Eternal Word. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3
All things were made through ...
2. 1 John 1 NKJV - What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched - Bible Gateway
What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched. 1 That which was from
the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we
have looked upon, and our ...
3. John 1 New King James Version | The New Bible.com
Bible.com is all new! Enjoy a free online Bible from You Version. Now, the
simple, ad-free Bible experience loved by millions is available at Bible.com.
4. Integrity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrity
Integrity is a concept
of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations,
and outcomes. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty
...
Psychological/work
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterfeit
To counterfeit means to imitate something. Counterfeit
products are fake replicas of the real product. Counterfeit
products are often produced with the intent to take ...
6. Counterfeit money -
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterfeit_money
Counterfeit money is
imitation currency produced without the legal sanction of the state or
government. Producing or using counterfeit money is a form of
fraud or ...
7. What does counterfeit mean? - Definitions.net
Definition of counterfeit in the Definitions.net
dictionary. Meaning of counterfeit. What does counterfeit
mean? Information and translations of counterfeit in the ...
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