Real or Fake?? Beware..

I have really been meditating on Counterfeits and being Deceived.. 

A counterfeit is made with the intent to deceive, often times people do not even see the differences between the authentic and the counterfeit.

The most counterfeited items include designer shoes, purses, handbags, perfumes, sunglasses, and jewels.  This list goes on and on.  The USPTO suggests the counterfeit product industry is worth an estimated $1.7-$4.5 trillion a year.

So many consumers are deceived by counterfeits; it is hard to tell the difference at first glance. You have to be cautious and have some knowledge of the product you are purchasing to recognize any differences. The best way to avoid counterfeits is to make your purchases from a reputable retailer.  People will try to pass off fakes as a close-out special, or perhaps this is last year’s model (Overstock).  The saying, “If it seems too good to be true, well, it probably is.”  This should be a reminder to us that counterfeits exist.

Just like worldly counterfeits, there are also spiritual Counterfeits…  Satin has a Counterfeit for everything God has.

God creates, and Satan counterfeits. This will help us notice a counterfeit.  Satan is the counterfeit of God. Demons are the counterfeit of angels.  Lies are the counterfeit of the truth.

Testing the Spirits!

Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world. 1John 4:1

2 Peter 2:1-2 talks about false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among us.

Beware of the false prophets, pastors and teacher.. Pray for discernment.. 

Satan seeks to lead us away from the truth by creating counterfeits, and he is very good at this deception game.  Think about it: he convinced angels in heaven to follow him, and Adam and Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit.  We have to be careful, or we too will be deceived.

But evil men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13

We need to be as familiar as possible with the truth!! The more we know the truth, the easier it will be to discern the differences between his lies and God’s truths.  We are constantly in a spiritual battle.  Like any army, we need to know what the enemy is planning so when he attacks, we are prepared and equipped with the armor of God to win the battle and triumph in victory.

Discretion will watch over you, Understanding and discernment will guard you. Proverbs 2:11

Insecurities

Another counterfeit of satan is his creating insecurities within us that may cause us not to be who God created us to be. We put on masks out of fear and shame and believe the lies of satan.  We must be confident in the person that God himself created us to be!!

  DON’T WEAR A MASK!!                            LOVE YOURSELF!!

Pretending to be someone you’re not is a response to an overwhelming feeling of insecurity with letting people see who you truly are. It’s an attempt at overcoming what is misguided thinking that the real you is somehow not worthy or inadequate. When, in fact, you are unique wonderfully and perfectly made. No one else can be YOU.

Years ago, I struggled with seeing other women of God and wishing I had a small piece of the anointing God gave them. As I matured in the Lord, I began to meditate on His word about who I am and allowed mentors to speak into my life. I began to understand He didn’t want me to be someone else. He made me just as I was. There are people God will put in our lives that no one else will be able to reach. We are all made in His Image, and He has all the personalities needed to minister to His hurting people.. BE YOU. Do not be a counterfeit, we will not walk in the full blessing God has for us trying to be someone else.

God loves you and inspired the Holy Spirit to help us gain greater confidence and faith -both in God and in ourselves.

So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.  28 And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.” Genesis 1:27-28

The Lord will make you the head (leader) and not the tail (follower); and you will be above only, and you will not be beneath, if you listen and pay attention to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today, to observe them carefully. Deuteronomy 28:13

We are Disciples for the World

We are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste (purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people [when the walkways are wet and slippery].  14 “We are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; Matthew 5:13-14

But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

 JUST BE YOU!! God created us in his own image.