According to government statistics, in 2006 alone, counterfeit US bills totaling $56,200,000 were discovered after entering into circulation. With home-production of illegal funds posing such a growing problem and the arrival of advanced copiers and better computer printers, the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing in recent years has upgrading the security features of some of the most commonly-counterfeited bills, thus making it much harder for would-be crooks to produce “funny money.” Color-shifting inks, watermarks, and security strips, increase the uniqueness of American currency. According to the US Secret Service website, even the paper that bills are printed on can not be legally produced by an individual. It is of a specific composition, pressed to a particular thickness and contains tiny red and blue fibers (you can see them if you look closely enough).
However, one of the best ways to determine a real bill from a fake one is the simplest: human touch. Because of the characteristics of this closely-guarded paper, a difference can be discerned by the fingertips. Interestingly enough, the best way for one to become skilled at determining counterfeit bills is not by intensive study of the fake money, but by taking every opportunity to handle real currency. When a person knows exactly what the genuine article feels like and looks like, spotting an attempt at deception becomes easier.
The same proves true in matters of spirituality.
There are many voices speaking many things conveniently labeled as “truth,” but not all of these hold up to scrutiny. You can’t believe every person on television who claims to preach the truth, no matter what kind of ratings they might enjoy. Nor should you recommend a particular book simply upon the basis that you found it in a Christian bookstore. And just because a movie mentions God doesn’t make it a religious film. We need discernment.
Hebrews 5:13-14 reads, “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” We must train and exercise our spiritual sense of “touch” by disciplined application of Scriptural truth so that we can recognize the counterfeits when they arise.
If you want to spot the frauds, spend time with the truth.
Dustin C. George
Minister to Single Adults
www.sevierheights.org
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