How to evaluate counterfeits?
Counterfeits look the same in the beginning…
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ” (Matthew 13:24-29)
Wheat & Tare's look the same at the beginning of there growth stage.
Sheep & goats look the same when they are babies.
When you go through seasons with people, they will eventually expose themselves.
#2 Examine their heart
14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. 16 So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him. (Matthew 26:14-16)
2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, (John 13:2)
3 Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. 4 So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude. (Luke 22:3-6)
It was always in their heart to begin with… The enemy had Judas' heart to begin with. Learn to discern someone's heart. God's word discerns the heart.
2 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
#3 What’s their circle of influence look like?
5 And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and every one of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver.” (Judges 16:5)
#3 What’s their circle of influence look like?
5 And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and every one of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver.” (Judges 16:5)
Delilah wasn't the enemy, the philistines were.
Judas wasn't the enemy, the Pharisees were.
Who is in their ear?
What podcast do they listen to?
What are they allowing to get access to their mind and thoughts?
#4 What’s their word bank account?
This doesn’t determine whether they are a true counterfeit or not upfront.
What gives you discernment on how they navigate and discern the moves in their life. You can learn how to position yourself based on how much someone knows so you can have healthy conversations on topics you might disagree with.
But based on this… you’ll know what level of access someone has to you. & you can audit how someone responds when you correct them.
It's not just you knowing the word of God, but does the word of God know you?
Now we have to also discern if this is the Lord or the flesh?
There’s a difference between peace in the Spirit & being uncomfortable in the flesh.
It can be peaceful AND uncomfortable.
Evaluate and ask yourself, is this the Lord or is this my flesh?
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:5-8)
Here's a chart between carnal & kingdom.
If we don't crucify our flesh privately, our flesh will crucify us publicly.
How to hear?
1. You must HEAL from trauma.
Trauma is an unhealed wound.
Trauma will allow you to create a language that was never meant to match your life.
Example: Well that’s how my parents raised me or that’s how I’ve always This language is how we’ve allowed trauma to become our personality.
Signs you’re dealing with trauma? When you feel guilty about getting better.
2. You must forgive.
25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25-26)
If the Lord can forgive you through your rebellion, you can forgive others through theirs.
3. You must continue to grow in the word of God.
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
I want rhema, not just good theology.
There’s people with good theology, but lack rhema and revelation. Good theology helped me understand the Bible, but revelation helps me step into my authority.
I want BOTH!
Good theology without revelation produces religion & repetition.
Rhema is often referred to in scripture as the spoken word of God.
A particular timing, specific or personal revelation - something God actively speaks or reveals in the moment.
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
NOW… it might not always be a counterfeit, but it just might not be the RIGHT timing.
Well it’s going to WIN a soul!
The importance of knowing your assignment, position and who you are in Christ like John the Baptist.
19 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. 27 It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” 28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. (John 1:19-28)
John the Baptist was a great example of someone who knew their position in the kingdom.
He got questioned about his assignment & who he was… but John knew how to reply with the word of God.
& the moment he saw Christ - he acknowledged Him as God.
This also goes for relationships… if you don’t know who you are in Christ, how can you know who other people are in Christ?
There’s a saying… You cannot be a rib to a man that has no revelation of who you are and who Christ is.
Difference between counterfeits & Christlike
#1
Counterfeits draw you away from God.
Christlike draws you near to God.
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:7-8)
#2
Counterfeits cause confusion.
Christlike brings clarity.
33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33)
#3
Counterfeits question your God calling.
Christlike builds you through your calling.
22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” (John 1:22)
#4
Counterfeits draw you with religious rhetoric.
Christlike draws you with a relationship with Him.
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (2 Timothy 3:5)
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. ( 2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
#5
Counterfeits deceives & distract.
Christlike does the will of God & bears fruit.
20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. (Matthew 7:20)
#6
Counterfeits fear man
Christlike fears the Lord
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:13)
#7
Counterfeits follow their own heart.
Christlike follows Jesus.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; (Proverbs 3:5)
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