How to Spot a Counterfeit
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt three bringeth forth evil fruit.” Matthew 7:15-17
If I have heard this illustration used once, I have heard it 100 times, that is, how to spot a counterfeit. It is said that when people are hired by the Secret Service, they are trained in how to tell a counterfeit bill from the real thing. The way they do that is to study the real thing, not the counterfeit bill, so that they can know what is wrong or out of place in a counterfeit bill. How is it different from a real twenty dollar bill? It wouldn’t make any sense to just examine the fake bills because the agents would not know what they were looking for. Well, the same principle applies to false teachers and false doctrines concerning God’s word. How do we know what we are hearing from preachers/teachers if we are not familiar with the truth of scripture?
As we strive to enter the straight gate and walk the narrow path, we have to be aware that Satan will try to trip us up every chance he gets. Being a Christian doesn’t mean we are free from trials and temptations. It does seem like we are subject to more trials and temptations than those who are not believers. Satan cannot retrieve our souls, but he can try to make us miserable. His goal is to get Christians off the narrow path so that their godly influence becomes of no effect. One of his tricks is to send out false prophets or false teachers to confuse God’s people and cause them to lose their witness among others. Jesus warned us to beware of these false prophets, appearing as harmless sheep, but were in reality ravening wolves. How can we know what is false and what is truth?
Every utterance issued forth by anyone claiming to be a teacher or a preacher of the word must be held up against the only true standard–God’s word. If what they say matches up with scripture, then we can be confident that they are speaking truth. But if their words are in direct opposition to what scripture teaches, then we should run away from them as fast as we can. We should not linger, thinking that we can refute what they say. They are not interested in the truth because it doesn’t fit their narrative or their goals of deception. There is always a reason for their deception. Politicians deceive all the time because they are trying to win votes to get in office. They all promise that they want to serve the people and make life better for folks, but that is such a rare occurrence that many of us no longer buy what they are selling, except for those who are gullible and think that somehow there is going to be a free lunch and a free everything else. I am afraid the old joke about politicians is mostly true: “How can one tell if a politician is lying? Are his/her lips moving?” We laugh at that, but it is really not funny because they wield so much control over our lives and our pocketbooks.
We can measure these false teachers, preachers, and politicians, for that matter, by comparing them to those who are truly godly instructors of the word. We must be “fruit inspectors”. Do they love others unconditionally? Do they give off a fragrance of joy no matter the circumstances? Do they live in peace and harmony with all in whom they associate? Do they exhibit longsuffering, that is, are they patient with those who may not be as quick to grasp the truth as they were able? Are they gentle in their dealing with others even though the situation could test their patience? Are their lives overflowing with goodness only seeking the best for others? Do they have the kind of faith that could remove mountains (Matthew 21:21)? Do they let meekness (strength under control) rule their emotions? Are they humbly submissive to the Lord and those who rule over them? Are they able to rise above their circumstances and allow the Lord to control their responses? Do they have self control? Do they put others needs ahead of their own? A truly righteous person not only “talks the talk, but walks the walk”.
I am not sure that I could pass that test 100 per cent. It would never be my desire to say or write something that was false, but I cannot say that I have met everyone of these criteria to the point of excellence. But it is my desire to do so, and I do strive to be a better Christian and witness each day. A tree that produces a tasty good fruit would not produce an inedible, poison fruit. A tree that was full of poison and decay could not possibly produce a good fruit. Therefore, to determine the status of the tree, inspect the fruit. If a person says that they have the truth, then watch to see how they live out that truth. A person cannot give what he or she doesn’t have. A person cannot be what they really are not. Jesus’ statements were always clear and concise, and He never left any “wiggle” room.