While driving to a store last week with a friend, we drove by a median in the middle of the road that had shiny material in the middle of it. We never really decided what it was. Our guess being some type of crushed glass, to me it looked like, here in the southwest what we call fool's gold. A stone that glitters and glimmers and looks like gold but is worthless, having no value.

In all things there is the real and the counterfeit.

We're all familiar with counterfeit money, even if we haven't knowingly held a bill. We've heard of or seen counterfeit Rolex watches and purses, jeans etc..

There also are counterfeit churches. The look like a church, they talk like a church but they aren't a part of Christ's church. These churches that teach the Bible isn't true or that you don't need Jesus. These fake churches teach you must have works to be saved or that it's religion not a relationship with Jesus that saves. All forms of counterfeit are out there.

There are spiritual counterfeits as well. There are counterfeit miracles, tongues, prophecies and more. Don't misunderstand, I believe in the gift of tongues, in prophecy, in healings, signs and wonders. Having said that, we need to be constantly vigilant to discern the real from the fake.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 1 John 4:1-3 NIV

We need to be wise and discerning. Scripture tells us that the enemy will lure many with counterfeit signs, wonders and miracles.

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 2 Thessalonians 2:9 NIV

Don't be content to be "wowed" by miracles or experiences. Learn what the Bible teaches, then measure them up with the word of God. Check them with the Holy Spirit. Use your God given gifts of discernment.

Until next time, may the Holy Spirit instruct you how to tell the real from the counterfeit. 

Be Blessed!

Darrel Mason