I Thessalonians 5:21-22 “But test everything; hold fast what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil.”  Leaders examine everything that comes before them for decisions and direction.  They recognize “knockoffs” and what is false and not true.  We know about knockoffs such as fake or counterfeit sunglasses, purses, watches, pens, ties, golf clubs and many more items.  A few years ago, I went to New York City with my son-in-law.  We went to China Town to shop for clones and knockoffs.  I bought Oakley sunglasses, a Tag-Heuer watch for myself and a Rolex watch for my wife.  I almost bought her a knockoff Louis Vuitton purse which I am sure would have lasted longer than the so-called Rolex watch.  The logos and external appearance were hard to tell from the genuine.  The watches lasted for about four months and died because the insides were fake and phony.  The tinted glass in the fake Oakley sunglasses made everything look distorted.  Knockoffs and counterfeiting trade is reported to constitute 5 to 7 percent of all global trade.  I knew what I was buying for little to nothing was fake and I played the game just for fun. However, many people take the bait are fleeced of big money.

As a leader of your family, business or church you must be alert to counterfeit and knockoffs of all types including religions as seen on television, in book stores and in business transactions and products. So, how do you tell the truth from the fake or knockoffs?  The best way is to study and know the true and genuine article.  It is much easier to spot the fakes if you know the real and authentic.  FBI agents assigned to find counterfeit money are trained by only looking at the real and true money. By knowing the true currency, they will recognize the counterfeit as fake and phony.  As we lead, we should always examine everything against the truth of God’s Word.  That’s the genuine and standard.  We must take care to only read and follow Christian leaders who are authentic and true to God’s Word and not those who deviate from truth.  We must avoid every form of evil and avoid falling for a fake, phony or knockoff.  The enemy knows that if he can take down the leader to follow the fake and phony, he will probably take down those whom he leads.  Leaders are to study and know Jesus in such a way that they will immediately recognize the fake and phony and abstain from it.  “Don’t fall for a knockoff and its outward appearance.”