But test everything; hold fast what is good. – 1 Thessalonians 5:21
According to government statistics, in the first quarter of 2024, sales through e-commerce retailers in the United States comprised nearly 16 percent of all sales, including retail and food service. At the same time, Customs and Border Protection reports that over 90 percent of counterfeit seizures that occur in international mail and express environments are items that have been purchased online. Some of those counterfeit goods pose health, safety, and economic security risks. CBP states, “Make sure to shop from reputable sources online.”
Counterfeiting God’s truth is big business for the devil, who is fully committed to keeping Christians—and the rest of the world—confused. The Lord has given you spiritual armor, He has given you His Word, He has given you access to Him through prayer, and the Holy Spirit is present to guide you. God calls you to be discerning. Examine everything. In the Greek this is a present imperative, which means it is not a once-and-done event but something ongoing in your life. Theologian William MacDonald wrote, “One way to examine everything carefully is to ask ‘what does the Lord think about this? How does it appear in His presence?‘ Every area of life comes under the searchlight… conversation, standard of living, clothing, books, business, pleasures, entertainments, friendships, vacations, cars and sports.” Nothing is omitted from your close scrutiny.
Then, having tested those things, Paul says, “Hold fast to what is good.” Maintaining a firm grip on God’s truth and the evidence in His Work will keep you from accepting counterfeits. The more you rightly handle the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:14-16), the greater your ability to detect fakes and counterfeits will be. Pray for churches across the United States to hold fast in preaching God’s Word, standing solidly on its precepts so that believers have their eyes opened to counterfeits.
Today’s Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:21
but test everything; hold fast what is good.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 12:9-21
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
