The author of counterfeit goodness in this world is none other than Satan himself. He is the enemy of our souls who despises us as God’s creation and is full of envy toward our loving and merciful Father. Satan uses counterfeit goodness when there is a need or desire in our lives. He’s had centuries of working on his sales pitch and frankly he’s quite good at it. Unfortunately, if we should choose to buy into his false promises, we will end up cheated with junk to carry around.
As you may recall Eve bought into Satan’s deceit regarding wisdom by eating of the forbidden fruit. Today people are still buying into pleasures that are packaged to bring a sense of goodness but don’t leave anyone truly satisfied. Rather than laying burdens at the feet of Christ, some turn to drug abuse to escape pain and their perception of reality. Rather than seeking wisdom and direction from the Bible, some turn to psychics and mediums. Instead of waiting to find the person they want to spend the rest of their lives with in holy matrimony, some wish to fornicate instead. The list of counterfeit pleasures runs so long. These things often satisfy for a time but end up leaving a person emptier in the long run.
- John 4:13-14, “Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.’”
- John 6:35, “And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.’”
Satan has also brought on false prophets who speak lies and inconsistencies deceiving even Christians. This has been foretold in the Bible and will continue on until Christ’s return.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9, “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
It’s not enough for us to just be good and go to church. Satan knows Scripture inside and out so it’s important we know what the Bible has to say for ourselves so we aren’t lured away by lies and false hope. Satan’s mission is the same as it has been throughout time; to provide another way to achieve what’s “good”. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the only way (John 14:6)!
Please visit these related blogs:
The Armor of God for Christian Soldiers
Taking Your Thoughts Into Captivity
Scripture references are quoted from the NKJV.