Is it a Knockoff?
Knockoff: a copy, imitation
Counterfeit: made in exact imitation of something valuable or important with the intention to deceive or defraud.
Are you believing a knockoff gospel? Are you serving a knockoff version of Jesus Christ? I recently was challenged again with this question from John Bevere’s book, The Awe of God.
This is a question that I am constantly asking myself. Am I believing in the God of the Bible or a counterfeit, knockoff God of my Western American society? Am I serving Jesus of the Bible or a counterfeit, less-than-knockoff version of Jesus that I have created?
It’s amazing the power of influence that culture and society play in our lives. We cannot escape it so we must be aware of it. It’s easy to see the changes from one generation to the next. You can see values deteriorating before our eyes. Is this influencing me? The answer is yes, it is! As much as I wish our culture and society didn’t influence me, I know that it does. Because I acknowledge this, I am aware of this fact and it creates a resolve in me to press in to do things that are directly opposite to cultural norms. I force myself to get out of “the bubble.” I challenge myself to think differently and recognize what is being spoken around me.
“I have given them your word… for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” John 17:14-91
You’ve heard it said, “Keep the main thing the main thing!” We can never shortcut reading God’s Word. We must be strong women of The Word now more than ever. I love books, podcasts, and sermons but we need to know what God’s Word says to us specifically in our daily life situations. What might be good for me might not be good for you.
“It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone. in Christ and visa versatied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.” Luke 17:2
We must take time to sit in His presence and let him whisper the hidden things to our soul and spirit through His Word. This is where we truly get to know His voice and what His character is like. Did you know that the Secret Service only studies real U.S. dollar bills? They only study the real thing. By doing that they can immediately spot a fake. They do not spend any time looking at all the counterfeits as that would create confusion. I also love the analogy that if your child called you out of a crowd you would know their voice distinctly above all the others. Or how often have you received a DM from someone you knew well asking for money? You know instantly that is not like them and out of character and it is fraudulent. That is the power and importance of knowing God’s word and hearing His voice. There are so many ways the enemy can deceive us if we are not diligent about this.
If we are getting our information from other sources, we could be getting a knockoff or counterfeit truth. If we are living in this world and not letting the Word of God personally wash over our minds, we may become tainted, and our view of Jesus may become a less-than-knockoff version of who He truly is. We may believe a counterfeit version of His nature and character.
My husband Jeff and I strongly believe that we should parent just as the Heavenly Father parents us. We are either setting our children up for success or failure in God’s Kingdom. God’s way of obedience is all the way, right away, and with a happy heart. Delayed obedience, partial obedience, a wrong tone or a bad attitude is not obedience at all! This was a staple motto in our house while raising our children from toddlerhood to adulthood. We don’t want to be fooled or live a life with a counterfeit Gospel. Are we parenting based on Biblical principles or the standard of the world?
A post came up on my Instagram feed recently. Another example of these tiny lies that we can believe if we are not careful. It was a post titled “Marriage Burnout.” What? No! If that’s the mindset, then you have “Parenting Burnout” and where does it end? Do we just stop? Do we quit? No! We will have what we expect to have! Don’t believe the lies. Jesus didn’t have burnout! The disciples sure proved they did not have burnout! There is no burnout in Heaven! There is no burnout for God’s people. I’ve been married for 26+ years and I’ve never thought for one second of being burnt-out with my marriage or while parenting my now adult grown children. Never! Is our marriage based off what God’s Word says or the patterns and philosophy of the world?
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
One of the greatest consistent prayers that I have prayed for myself, my spouse, and my two children is that we would always see the truth from lies. We must always be keen to the deceit around us and the little foxes.
“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.” Song of Songs 2:15
Side Note: My number one constant prayer for myself, my spouse, and my two children is that we would —
“’ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” 38-37:22 Matthew
May we be in pursuit of the Real Gospel and the Real Jesus. I am not looking for Jesus to fit in my box or mold Him into the Jesus that is convenient for me. I am resolved to know who He is and align my life with Him. I want the Real Thing because only then are we truly living and walking with Him and receiving all His promises in our lives! Don’t settle for the cheap knockoff version. Let us go after the priceless and valuable true gospel of Jesus Christ…the Real Thing!
I love you!
Janelle