by Chris Steele

July 30, 2006

Do you know how bankers are trained to spot counterfeit money? One might think that they would spend hours studying counterfeits. But, they don’t study counterfeits much at all. Instead, they become so familiar with "real" currency that when a forgery passes through their fingers and by their observant eye, they are able to spot it as a counterfeit. By taking the time to diligently study the real thing, even the most subtle of differences can be detected.

We must be so familiar with the truth that when we see error, we will know it. Paul told Timothy, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). Jesus said, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself" (John 7:17). The apostle adds, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

As God’s children we must be cautious in the religious world. There are so many who have come in the name of God and Christ who are not speaking truth. They profess to do so, but when we compare their words with the source of truth (John 17:17; Psalm 119:142, 151), they fall short of God’s will.

So many in our modern world cannot even imagine that there is such a thing as a false religion out there. Paul warns to the contrary, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" (2 Cor. 11:13-15).

We must be defenders and contenders of "the faith" (Jude 3). We must discipline ourselves in reading, praying, studying, and memorizing the Bible. We will be so familiar with truth that we will not be fooled by the religious forgeries that cross our path.