In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ NLT). This is the first scripture in the Bible and I believe it’s there for a specific reason. God is the Creator. Period. This is important to remember when we’re going through trials of all kinds. The devil, our adversary, IS NOT a creator. He is a created being. The only things he can use to wreak havoc in your life are already created. God made things to be good. “Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!” (Genesis 1:31 NLT) The enemy only has the power to twist and pervert God’s good creation and His words of truth. He is a counterfeit!

Spotting a counterfeit can be difficult. We usually think of it in terms of money. You will hear someone say “they paid me with a counterfeit fifty dollar bill.” Basically, they’re telling you they got tricked by something that “appeared” to be real but turned out to be fake and has absolutely no value. This definitely sounds like the language of the enemy!  How often in this world do we turn on the news, the radio or head to social media and get “tricked” into believing something untrue?  For a lot of folks it’s probably on a daily basis. This is not God’s best for us. He wants us to know His Word and actually make our evaluations based on it. This way, when the counter punch comes, you’re ready. You won’t fall for anything because you’re standing on God’s Word. The Bible has a lot to say about this. “Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.” (Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬ NLT) God is so practical! He knew all those years ago what we would still need today! Amazing!

There are so many examples of counterfeits that we would never be able to exhaust them. But there’s specific ones that I think we all deal with.  Let’s take for example you apply for a job. It sounds like the perfect place for you. You really want it and sense that the Lord even led you there. The interview goes great. “We’ll be in touch,” they say. Six or seven days go by and you hear nothing. The enemy whispers “they picked someone else. You’re not good enough.” Wrong! Whether they choose someone else for the position or not has nothing to do with this lie. The Bible says in Psalms 139:14 “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”  So, we have God’s promise about who we are and we have the enemy’s twisted perversion of that truth. Which one do you side with?  I would pick THE TRUTH!  The lie will take you down a road you were never meant to travel. The truth, however, will set you free and give you the right perspective. It will go something like this. “I may or may not get this position but God has something in mind that He has made me specifically for and that’s what I truly want.” Get the picture?  

How about this one? I blew it with my family last night. I shouldn’t have been so angry. I bet God’s mad at me. Wrong again!  Stinking thinking has entered the mind! Truth is “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8-9‬ NLT) God loves you just because He made you. His love for us is not performance based. This is good news! Now you don’t have to go around beating yourself up all day. Apologize to your family. Ask for forgiveness and move on!

Then there’s the ever popular “everything is hitting all at once.” Once again, the enemy is there to remind you that you won’t make it. You don’t have enough money to cover everything that’s required of you this month. Anxiety starts to kick in and now you’re losing sleep. This should not be! Turn this over to Jesus. He’s more than sufficient. His word says “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ NLT) God owns it all anyway. He can make a way where there seems to be no way. Quit worrying, thank Him for this promise and go to sleep!

God’s truth is so real and so relevant to you having a successful mindset about who you are and who He’s made you to be. Get in His Word and learn about what He’s done for you and what He wants to accomplish in your life. He has truly given us everything we need to make it in this world. He’s got great plans! Don’t take on the mindset of the enemy. Let God’s word of truth become your response to all of the lies. The truth is real and all of the rest is just the counterfeit.

Today’s writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband, Robby and cat, Harold.