A Counterfeit Life

Key Passage: Matthew 7:15-28 Key Verse: Matthew 7:20 "Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced." (NLT) Topic: Sin/Temptation What if someone existed with absolutely no regard for life, love, and beauty? What if this person were so evil they didn't care whether or not they profited from causing death, destruction and chaos--that they'd even be willing to die if it meant one more person would suffer? Would you listen to a person like this?  Satan is that person but he knows that pure evil is a tough sell. He wants to see all of God's creation destroyed (including you) and he want you to help him. But how can he convince someone to act in an ultimately self-destructing manner? The same way a counterfeiter would get you to use a fake $100 bill: by making a convincing forgery. In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus gives a very sobering account of that day when people stand before Him and find out their life was lived for a lie. The day when people discover that they've been destroyed by Satan the deceiver, the counterfeiter. God's great plan has always been for us to love Him--that’s the way it started out in Eden. But Satan works by giving us substitutes for our love. Substitutes like the love of recognition, the love of knowledge, or the love of achievement. It doesn't have to be the love of anything evil. As long as he can make us love something other than God, he will accomplish his purpose--our destruction. It won't matter on that last day if you've made an "honest mistake." The truth is, today, right now, God wants to help you see through Satan's lies. God loves you too much to let you remain deceived. He's spelled out in the Bible exactly how you can know the truth and spot the lies. Jesus tells us how to avoid people who want to deceive us: "You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit" (v. 16). Let's take a closer look. Consider It: In order to spot the bad fruit, you need to know the good fruit; just like a banker needs to know what real money looks like before he can spot the fakes. Galatians 5:22-23 shows us what a person who loves God looks like. •    What adjectives does Paul use to describe the fruit of the Holy Spirit? •    Under what conditions are these attributes seen in a person? •    Who is it that produces the good fruit? Apply It: It's tricky business to figure out whether or not someone is acting out of love for God. Not only is Satan, the deceiver, good at hiding his true colors but humans are not always the best judge of character. Instead of focusing on who may be deceiving you, start making yourself "undeceive-able." Galatians shows us this only comes through allowing God control of your life. Focus on what is true and real from Him and arm yourself with His Word. Express It: As you pray, ask God to make His presence unmistakable to you. Ask Him to let you feel His love and acceptance. Pray that as you draw closer to Him that the good fruit would start show and that you'd have the wisdom to see the lies for what they are. Finally, thank God that He is greater than all others.