The U.S. Secret Service says the best way to detect counterfeit money is to become familiar with real money, looking for differences, not similarities.
They recommend you:
1. Look at the portrait because it should appear "lifelike" and stand out from the background.
2. Look at the treasury seal, borders and numbers which should appear distinct, not blurry.
3. Look at the paper which will have fibers "embedded," not simply printed on the surface.
This is also true when detecting counterfeit philosophies:
1. Look for God's "portrait." Is the truth God-centered or self-centered?
1 Corinthians 6:6-16
2. Look at the details of the philosophy. Is it clearly Scriptural or does it blur the lines between truth and error?
Acts 17:11
3. Look for the quality of the philosophy. Is God's truth embedded in it or is it simply a worldly philosophy with spiritual words on the surface? Colossians 2:8
Let's be as careful about counterfeit philosophies as we are about counterfeit money!
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Ooooh, great analogy Gail! We would recognize the counterfeit with ease if we study our God and His word more deeply.
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Thanks, Tracy. When I read the Secret Service recommendations, I thought they were a perfect fit! : )
DeleteGail
That is so true, the more we are familiar with the Truth, the easier it becomes to spot error!
ReplyDeletegreat post on how we can detect counterfeit from the real thing, Gail!
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