Recognizing Spiritual Counterfeits in Today's World

Imagine preparing a healthy, nutritious salad with fresh greens, vegetables, and all the right ingredients. Then, instead of adding a healthy dressing, you pour chocolate syrup all over it. That chocolate syrup might look like balsamic vinaigrette, but it's a terrible counterfeit that defeats the entire purpose of your healthy meal.

This is exactly what happens in our spiritual lives. There are very real spiritual counterfeits trying to make their way into society, into the church, and into the hearts and minds of God's people. These are substitutes for Jesus and the spirit of Christ—a counterfeit Christianity that aims to take its place in culture and society.

What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Counterfeits?

In 1 John 2:18, we read: "Children, it is the last hour. And as you have heard the Antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour."

The "last hour" refers to the time between Christ's first and second coming. The Antichrist refers to a biblical character that embodies a mindset, a pattern of thinking, a spirit that influences people. The Greek word for "anti" means either "against" or "in place of." While John is referring to a figure coming in history, he's highlighting that there are precursors or small versions of this figure that embody the same opposition to Christ.

How Do We Recognize These Spiritual Counterfeits?

John continues in verses 19-20: "They went out from us, but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out that it might become plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you have all knowledge."

John references those who infiltrated the congregation with thoughts that challenged the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. These people claimed to have special knowledge that Jesus wasn't who He said He was.

But John reassures believers that they have been "anointed" by the Holy One. Anointing refers to the pouring of oil on one's head, used in special ceremonies of consecration. John is telling his readers that they themselves are the ones who have the anointing from being connected to Christ.

What Marks True Spiritual Anointing?

What marks anointing is the Holy Spirit. A believer who has the Holy Spirit is anointed, consecrated, and secured in knowledge of the truth. John is saying that believers are the ones who have the anointing, the Holy Spirit, and the truth—not those claiming special knowledge that contradicts Jesus's identity.

In verses 21-22, John writes: "I write to you not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son."

These believers are being affirmed that they know the truth because they are anointed and have the Holy Spirit. They don't need new knowledge; they already know because they have the Holy Spirit. And what do they know? Jesus is who He said He is. If anyone denies that, they have accepted a substitute contrary to the truth.

Why Is Jesus Central to True Spirituality?

Verse 23 states: "No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever confesses the Son has the Father also."

Those with an "antichrist mentality" claimed to have a relationship with God but denied the divinity of Jesus. Yet Jesus said He is "the way, the truth, and the life" and that no one can get to the Father except through Him. It is impossible to have a relationship with God except through the divinity and work of Jesus.

It all comes down to what you do with Jesus. You can say you believe in God, but even the demons believe in God. What you do with Jesus is what determines true spirituality and sets the trajectory of eternity.

How Do We Guard Against Spiritual Counterfeits?

In verses 24-25, John encourages: "Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us: eternal life."

John is saying, "Look, there are people out there trying to get you off track. But I want you to know that I was with Jesus, and this is what Jesus said." This applies to us today because there's a lot of stuff circulating that is not healthy for our spiritual lives—chocolate syrup on our spiritual salad that defeats the purpose of Jesus's sacrifice and grace.

We have to be careful to allow what is good, holy, and pure in, and be on guard against the bad, the unholy, the tainted substitutes that want to defeat the purpose of Jesus on the cross.

Is It Our Job to Call Out Every False Teaching?

It's not your job to be a "heresy hunter." Some Christians think they need to call everybody out on everything, but that's not our job. However, it is our job to be aware of what's going on and not let other things mix in with the gospel message.

In verses 26-27, John concludes: "I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him."

John is clearly stating his intent to help believers not give in to weird teaching while affirming the truth they had built their faith on. He's saying they know how to hear God's voice, have the Holy Spirit, and can discern things that are off.

He's not saying to get away from community or not let others teach you. Scripture elsewhere emphasizes the importance of being in community with other believers. What he is saying is that it's okay to discern what's good, healthy, and holy, and you don't have to accept everything that comes your way.

Life Application

The key to guarding against spiritual counterfeits is abiding in Christ. For believers, it all comes down to abiding in Him. For non-believers, it's about positioning yourself to be in a relationship with Him.

Do we guard what we let into our minds? Yes. Do we watch what we believe and make sure we don't let weird stuff come into our beliefs or walk with Jesus? Absolutely.

The best way to do this is to make sure you are abiding in the vine (John 15), connected to the source, in the secret place of prayer and His Word, in a deeper-level love relationship with Jesus, allowing His Holy Spirit—the anointing—to speak to you, teach you, lead you, guide you, form you, and shape you.

Ask yourself these questions this week.

• What spiritual counterfeits might I be allowing into my life?

• Am I truly abiding in Christ, or am I substituting something else for a genuine relationship with Him?

• How can I better discern between truth and lies in the messages I hear?

• What steps can I take to deepen my connection with Jesus through prayer and His Word?

  Challenge yourself to spend intentional time abiding in Christ this week. Guard your heart and mind against spiritual counterfeits by staying connected to the true source—Jesus Christ.