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I was once going to buy oil filter for a car; and when I got it, I had a hunch to ask if that was the best. I was shocked when the attendant told me that was what most people bought; then he went back and brought me another one and said,

"This is the original."

The first one he gave me was not the original or authentic one! 

Replacement parts have very honourable origins, to solve genuine problems. So we have prosthetic legs, prosthetic eyes, dental fixtures, prosthetic breasts and many more. The vocabulary that describes some replacement parts can be nuanced — like “replica” and “artificial” — but can also be harsh — like “imitation” and “fake”! 

While some of the things we call “fake” are actually prescribed, sometimes medically, to solve a problem, most of them these days are simply for deceit. I use the word “fake” for anything that is meant to maliciously deceive.

We live in interesting times. There are fakes of every thing! Fake Medical doctors, fake Lawyers, fake police officers, fake university degrees, fake hairs, fake moustaches, fake beards, fake tummies, fake eye lashes, and fake many others. 

The work of God, and the body of Christ, has not been spared it’s fare share of the fakes. First, there are the fake church members – those who go there to seek anything but God! They include those whose primary reason for joining the body of Christ is to seek financial solutions, relationships, business contacts, steal from worshipers, exploit kindhearted worshipers, dupe unsuspecting believers, steal church funds and many more. This may sound unconventional, but anyone who deliberately joins the body of Christ for any other reason, than to encounter God and worship Him, is fake!

The big one is the fake men of God! People are very charitable towards the other fakes, but not the fake men of God! On one hand, that surprises me; and on another hand I feel the high calling of men of God makes the abhorrence of fake men of God justified! While faking God’s work is not new (Exodus 7:8-12, Matthew 7:15-20), the fact that these “men of God” have adopted and assigned  all kinds of roles to themselves these days makes them very powerful and influential, making it even more important to avoid fakes!

Apart from those who, by their training, can take on certain roles, most of them have assigned roles such as guardians, shepherds, advisors, counselors, arbitrators, teachers, judges, custodians and lords, to themselves! I have seen, and heard of, a whole lot of people who listen more to their “men of God” than their parents, legal guardians, spouses, trained counselors, family elders, superiors at work and many more. This is problematic, because men of God have their roles, and the others also have their roles. This is even more problematic considering the fact that some of these so-called men of God bear not even the least semblance to God, or His Son Jesus Christ! In fact some, by their posture and activities, qualify to be called “men of money”, “men of sexual exploitation”, ” men of occultism” and “men of Satan”! 

Where does that leave the church? Bible is very aware of the duty of care placed on teachers, and actually warns that not many should become teachers in the church.

READ James 3:1-2

“Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” (James 3:1-2 NLT)

In this letter by James to the churches, he clearly stated that teachers would be judged more strictly; and admitted that everyone makes mistakes, but that if people could control their tongues, then they would be perfect and control themselves in every other way.
Unfortunately, this advice is either not seen, not heeded to, or totally brushed aside. Bible is clear about what is expected of shepherds.
1. Peter 5:1-5 says, 

“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 
And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 

2. Jeremiah 3:15 also says,

“And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
Very clear expectations: shepherds according to God’s heart, to feed the flock with knowledge and understanding; not for shameful gain and not domineering, but rather eager and willing, and examples to the flock.”

On another hand, there is a stern warning to the fakes in Ezekiel 34:2-4 which says,

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 
‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.”

The system has been ravaged by all kinds of wolves, but God says, 

“Woe to them!”

God cares dearly for His flock and will not allow them to be exploited, deceived  and harmed! No one should be deceived!

While we wait for God to deal with the fakes, there is advice for the flock too:
God says He will judge them, but we also need to be careful not to become victims to them. Jesus said He sent us as sheep in the midst of wolves; that we should be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16)!

We need to be wise; we need to “shine our eyes”!

MEMORY VERSE

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)

QUESTIONS

1. Do you know that “fakes” are not new?

2. Do you also know that you are not supposed to fall victim to fakes?

PRAYER TIP

Father, please give us the wisdom to differentiate between those You have sent and the others, in Jesus’ name.

Written by:
BENNY MALM

For:
TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL

URGENT CALL

By nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God. We ultimately face the wrath of God!

But God in His mercy and love gives us a chance to reverse this trend, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.

The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved. 

Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.

It is a very personal decision. No one can make for you.

If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God!

Do you want to make that decision today?

Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.

We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page.

God richly bless you

SPECIAL GRATITUDE

Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website. 

We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.

We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.

God richly bless you.

The Testimony Devotional website addresses are:
https://testimonydevotional.org/
https://testimonydevotional.com/
https://mytd.org/