Knowing the counterfeit from the genuine

In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul reveals 4 ways in which Satan works like a master counterfeiter.

1. Satan supplies a counterfeit saviour: ‘For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.’ (2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV) So though there are cults that preach Jesus, they do not preach the Christ of Christianity.

2. Satan presents counterfeit servants: ‘For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ… So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds’ (2 Corinthians 11:13, 15 ESV).

3. He brings counterfeit saints: Paul identifies these false brethren as those who seem like your brother or sister on the outside but are secretly your enemy on the inside (see Galatians 2:4). 4. Satan offers us a counterfeit salvation: ‘But even if we or an angel from Heaven should preach to you a Gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.’ (Galatians 1:8 ESV)

Christians can, at times, behave like children of the devil, while the ungodly frequently appear to be righteous. God can distinguish a sinner from a saint, and you’re going to discover both inside the church just as you will outside it. And that’s a good thing because constant exposure to the Word of God is what changes people. Jesus never claimed that the church was perfect, and neither should we. Our awareness of these truths shouldn’t make us self-righteous or judgmental. Rather, it should make us paramedics of God’s grace and mercy and cause us to be more fully committed to Christ.