Don't Fall for the Counterfeit

Don’t Fall for the Counterfeit

I don’t know about you, but I’ve noticed a pattern in my journey.

Sometimes, right before the breakthrough, the promotion, the big purchase, the right man to marry, the right job—or whatever you’ve been praying and believing for—a counterfeit shows up.

And the difficult thing about a counterfeit is that, on the outside, it can look almost exactly like the real thing.

It can look like what God promised.

It can sound like what you prayed for.

It can feel like your heart’s desire.

And I’ve fallen for the counterfeit more times than I’d like to admit.

Learning to Recognize What’s Real

I worked in banking for over 30 years. It was my career, and in the early days, I started as a teller.

Back then, debit cards weren’t part of everyday life like they are today. People came into the bank carrying cash and checks—sometimes large amounts of both.

And we dealt with counterfeits.

Counterfeit bills. Counterfeit checks. Altered documents.

Early in my career, I fell victim to some of them. They looked real to me.

But something happened over time.

I learned.

I learned what to look for. I learned the markings on genuine currency. I learned the signs that something wasn’t quite right on a check. And after handling real money day after day, year after year, I became so familiar with the genuine article that the counterfeit became easier to recognize.

Even today, I can sometimes feel a dollar bill and immediately know something isn’t right.

That ability didn’t come overnight.

It came from years of handling what was real.

And I believe our journey with the Lord works much the same way.

Get So Familiar With the Real Thing

The more time I spend with God, the more I read, study, and meditate on His Word, and the more I understand His perfect love for me, the easier it becomes to recognize something that doesn’t reflect Him.

You don’t become skilled at recognizing counterfeit money by studying every counterfeit ever created.

You study the real thing.

And spiritually, I believe it’s the same.

Know God. Know His Word. Know His character.

Then, when something comes along that looks like the answer to your prayer but carries characteristics contrary to His nature, something inside you begins to recognize:

This doesn’t feel like the real thing.

Do I still get it wrong sometimes? Absolutely.

Because counterfeits can be convincing.

And these days, it can be difficult to get close enough to people, businesses, ministries, and even churches to really see their fruit. A beautiful website, a huge following, a packed sanctuary, an impressive title, or the right Christian language can make something appear wonderful from the outside.

But appearances aren’t fruit.

Watch the Fruit

Jesus taught us that we recognize people by their fruit (Matthew 7:16).

So I’m learning not to rush.

I can believe the best about someone without immediately giving them access to the deepest parts of my heart.

I can engage.

I can be kind.

I can love.

And I can still guard my heart while I wait for the fruit to become clear.

What fruit should we be looking for?

Galatians 5:22–23 gives us a beautiful measuring stick:

Love.Joy.Peace.Patience.Kindness.Goodness.Faithfulness.Gentleness.Self-control.

Watch how a person treats people who cannot do anything for them.

Watch how a business treats its clients when something goes wrong.

Watch how leaders respond when they are questioned.

Watch how a church treats its members—not just the people on the platform or those with influence.

Is there love?

Is there kindness?

Is there patience?

Is there gentleness?

Is there faithfulness?

Is there self-control?

Nobody will display these things perfectly all the time. We are all human, and we all have growing to do. But over time, fruit reveals the root.

Guard Your Heart Without Closing It

This is something God has been teaching me: guarding my heart does not mean hardening my heart.

There’s a difference.

I don’t have to become suspicious of everyone because someone deceived me.

I don’t have to stop loving because someone mishandled my love.

I don’t have to assume everything is counterfeit.

Instead, I can keep my heart soft toward God while becoming wiser about who and what I allow close to it.

Proverbs 4:23 tells us:

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Guard it.

Don’t build a wall around it.

There is a difference.

And Then, Ask God for Confirmation

Finally, when you’re unsure, ask God.

“Lord, is this from You?”

“Is this relationship what You have for me?”

“Is this opportunity the door You’re opening?”

“Is this business trustworthy?”

“Is this church where You want me planted?”

And then give Him room to answer.

Sometimes we pray for confirmation after we’ve already decided what we want the answer to be. I’ve learned that discernment requires me to loosen my grip and be willing for God to say yes, no, or not yet.

He is faithful.

If something is truly from Him, you don’t have to manipulate it, chase it, force it, or ignore every warning sign just to keep it.

Give it time.

Watch the fruit.

Stay close to God.

And listen.

The Challenge

Here’s my challenge for us:

Let’s stop falling for counterfeits.

Let’s become so familiar with God’s character and His Word that when something false appears, we recognize that something is off.

Let’s not allow disappointment to make us cynical—but let’s not allow excitement to make us careless either.

Believe the best.

Love people.

Engage.

But guard your heart until the fruit becomes clear.

And when you aren’t sure, ask God for confirmation and be willing to wait for His answer.

After more than 30 years in banking, I learned that the best protection against counterfeit money was knowing the real thing so well that the fake eventually stood out.

Maybe that’s the lesson for our spiritual lives, too.

Spend so much time with the Real Thing that the counterfeit can no longer fool you.

God has given us His Word. He has given us His Spirit. He has given us wisdom.

Let’s use what He has poured into us.

And when the counterfeit comes before the promise, let’s have the wisdom to wait for the real thing.

Love,

Tricia