In most crime shows there is at least one episode involving something counterfeit: currency, artwork, even identities. While many of these shows depict the criminals using state-of-the-art technology to create their fakes, they are really just using the newest toys to commit the oldest crimes. People have needed a way to spot forgeries for ages. But how do they do it?

I once heard a story about an FBI agent who talked about methods of spotting counterfeit money. Holding up a crisp twenty-dollar bill, the agent said the best way to catch a fake was to study this—the real thing. They don’t study the endless ways something could be made counterfeit; they study the details of the real thing.

In the Bible, teachers like Paul were constantly warning fellow Christians about false (or counterfeit) teachers. So, should we go around assuming no teacher can be trusted? That won’t work, because the Bible makes it clear we need mentors, teachers, and trusted friends to help us grow. Instead, we can learn from the FBI’s counterfeit-spotting techniques. To recognize a fake, we need to study the real thing, aka the Bible.

In the book of Genesis, we can learn about the first counterfeit truth ever told to Eve and Adam (chapter 3). Because humans listened to a lie and rebelled against God, our relationship with our Creator was broken. But that wasn’t the end of the story. Throughout the Old Testament, God prepared to send His Son, Jesus Christ, who is called not only “the truth,” but also “the way” and “the life” (John 14:6). Jesus didn’t just teach us about the way to be made right with God, He literally made the way for us through His death and resurrection. The gospel is the greatest treasure, and we surely wouldn’t want a counterfeit of it. • Abigail Scibiur

• How does focusing on Jesus help us recognize counterfeit teachings?

• The Christians in Galatia started following a false teaching, so Paul reminded them of the true gospel—the good news about Jesus dying and rising from the dead to forgive us and make us right with God. Paul explained these truths and urged the Galatians to reject false teachings (Galatians 1:6-8; 3:1– 4:7). Who are trusted Christians in your life who could help you discern false messages by comparing them to the gospel? Do you have any questions you could ask them about now? (You can also learn more about the gospel on the "Know Jesus" page.)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NIV)