“Everything God does, Satan attempts to counterfeit.”
I can still remember when a friend spoke those words to me. So many things began to make sense with that one simple statement. She went on to explain how the enemy does all he can to keep us running to these counterfeit things…rather than to Jesus. For peace. For comfort. For joy. I had not heard it in such plain terms before.
Talk about a light bulb moment.
It was then, I started noticing a funny pattern with opportunities that came my way. It would usually happen at a time I was feeling low, convinced nothing could ever come of a crazy dream that felt three sizes too big. I would find myself wondering if God had forgotten the dream He had for me. Or maybe I’d just heard wrong.
In that exhausted, slightly desperate place, along would come a break. Yet, almost from the moment I’d hear it, something wouldn’t sound quite right. Deep within, I’d know this wasn’t the opening for me. Yet, try as I may, I couldn’t find a real reason to talk myself out of it. Nothing that is, except for that niggling pull guiding me towards another route. More often then not, I’d end up saying yes, but knowing deep down something was just off.
I’ve now seen how this pattern played out over and over in my life. As long as the enemy could keep me wrapped up in something I wasn’t meant to be doing, I wasn’t make strides towards what God wanted me doing. And the things that would come along, were great opportunities, they just weren’t meant for me. Often, I’d untangle myself from one thing, only to find myself all wrapped up again soon after.
Sigh.
While the details of your situation likely look a little different, it’s probably safe to say the enemy would rather have us all spinning our wheels on a Satan-sized counterfeit than on our true God-sized dream.
The enemy would rather have us all spinning our wheels on a Satan-sized counterfeit than on our true God-sized dream.Click To Tweet
A counterfeit, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is “made to look like an exact copy…in order to trick people.”
How can we tell the difference between a God-sized dream and a counterfeit?Click To Tweet The difference between a knockoff the enemy is using to trick us and the true dream that God is calling us to? Here are a few ways to detect a counterfeit God-sized dream:1.) It should be for the building up of God’s people. Our God given gifts are for building each other up, and our God-sized dreams should do the same. And remember, our God-sized dreams should be life giving to everyone, including ourselves! If it feels like it’s sucking the life right out of us, that might not be where God wants us! “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)
2.) It should always honor God’s Word. Plain and simple. He doesn’t contradict Himself. If we have to go against God’s Word, it’s simply can’t be from Him. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)
3.) Every aspect should be on the up and up. I know, I know, this should go without saying but you might be surprised how convincing Satan can be, even speaking blatant lies to believers. After all, the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, and Jesus comes so we may have life to the full!
4.) It should always lead others into God’s light. If it leads people away, in any way, we should reconsider what it is we’re doing. “For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5 (NLT)
5.) God should be the main motivator. Money/recognition/fill in the blank might seem great, but God-sized dreams take a lot of work/time/gray hair/freak-outs. Our families might have to get used to cereal for dinner and remind us laundry needs to be done again because, well, clean underwear would be nice. This will all get old fast, if our motivation is anything but Him. {To which I will also add, everything will get old in double time, if something called “perimenopause” has come to visit your abode. Ahem.} “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
6.) There should be no hold backs. And I don’t mean the natural hold back we have because of fear. Even Moses doubted, right? He tried to tell God he couldn’t speak when God called him. (Exodus 4:10) I’m talking about the general feeling that something is off. Pay attention and take that to God in prayer.
The good news? I’ve noticed right behind a counterfeit dream, more often than not, along comes the real thing.
The even better news? No matter where you are on the path, God has you, friend! Nothing can mess with His plan for you! He can work all things together for good. He can use for good what the enemy meant for harm. God can even repay for the years the locusts have eaten! Phew!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to do laundry and plan my next post: God-sized Dreaming While Hormonal. Good times!
(And here is a wonderful song for dreamers by Jeremy Camp, which the quote in the above photo is from. It’s definitely worth a listen…but might just get stuck in your head! 🙂
Shared by: Christine Wright
Christine, this is such a powerful message! Thank you for warning us of the deceit of the enemy and the danger of believing his lies. Your list of ways to see the counterfeit for what it is will be a useful tool for all of us as we seek to follow this God-sized dream. Blessings to you!
Thank you for your sweet encouragement Sabra! It can be so easy to fall for a fake – I’m just grateful God is so true! 🙂
Awesome information! Now you’ve really got me thinking about my own pursuits. (That’s a good thing.) Thanks! XOXO
I know the feeling!! 😉 Thanks, girl! 🙂
I love this! I have known that the devil puts out roadblocks. I have dealt with many of these. I have never thought about the counterfeit subterfuge from the devil. This is a whole new area for me to ponder. This could very well help to get my God-sized dream unstuck! Thank you for sharing this!
Janet, the crazy thing I’ve noticed is the counterfeit is *so* close to what I’d imagine the real thing should be. (If that makes sense??) Used to be I’d just say yes and figure it is what it is. But now that I’ve started noticing, if I just hold on…God has the *right* thing coming in His time! 🙂
Great and timely post! Just had an opportunity fall through and I was really disappointed. I thought it would be the perfect position for me. I’ve got to be patient and wait on what God has planned for me and I know it will be Great!
Blessing to You!
Yes!! God has good plans for you! It WILL be great. 🙂 Thank You Lord for all the blessings you have stored up for Melissa! We can’t wait to rejoice with you, friend!
Great reminder of the many ways the enemy tries to keep us distracted and off course. Love how you listed it out.
Thanks, Alecia! 🙂
So much wisdom and truth in this post – a necessary message and something we all need to be aware of!
Thank you for the prayers! 🙂
Thank you! It made me think about my own dreams and while the big one (being a Christian nature writer) is definitely of God, your post also made me think about ways in which Satan could twist the message that I need to be on guard against. Very timely for a friend of mine too who is wondering if her own dream is truly a God-sized Dream.
Love the dream you have! Can’t wait to see how God puts it all together. 🙂
Well spoken truth! Sometimes we just can’t tell it’s Satan, because he is such a sneaky little thing. Sometimes we don’t want to believe that there is a battle. And sometimes we are enticed…and maybe don’t want to know who is really at work. Your six points are a powerful yardstick against which we can hold up the distractions that call us away from what God truly has in mind. Thankfully,, God will have His way!!
Yes, yes, yes!!! To all you said!! And sometimes we are enticed and don’t really want to know who is at work! Praise God, that He will have His way!!
Beautifully said, and a wonderful checklist! I especially like your reference to perimenopause in #5 🙂 , I totally understand!
Oh, Ellen, I *knew* some of us dreamers had to be in the same boat!! 🙂 *Grin* I visited your blog and LOVED the post about the sandpaper people – yes, yes, yes. And I saw you are attending She Speaks this summer! Went last summer and LOVED it. 🙂
This is timely for my life, thank you!
Thank you, Angela. And thank God for the words. He laid the idea on my heart so clearly, I knew I had to write it.
You are confirmation and encouragement today!! I needed this. Thank you!
God’s put it on our hearts to move to Alaska to open and care for a homeless teen center. We knew years ago we’d be working with teenagers (but I was honestly a little afraid of teens until I had one of my own. They’re pretty neat people!) but when we tried to help at churches through the years it wasn’t happening.
The pull to go do this God-sized Dream is so strong for our family of 4 that to say “no” would be agony. Prayers please as we follow while the Holy Spirit leads? Thank you so much for being confirmation today. I was feeling intimidated but I know He’s got this.
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Christine, this is so insightful and galvanizes my heart to stay close to the Truth so that I’ll recognize God’s voice when I hear it. “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it . . .”
I know this one from first-hand experience. Had a beautiful bookstore. It was beautiful and I LOVED creating it. Satan’s counterfeits can be mighty shiny sometimes. Everyone who came into my little bookshop loved it BUT the longer I was there the farther I got from my dream to write. I kept saying, “I can write books or I can sell books but I can’t do both!” I was so exhausted all the time and the joy just began to dry up. I kept asking myself, “What’s wrong with you! Everyone wants a store like this.” Everyone loved what I was doing EXCEPT me! Walking away from all of that was so hard but so worth it! Jesus calls us to something that gives LIFE to our souls not discontent and dryness. Writing is very hard work but it fills me with such JOY! Thanks for these very wise words they are true, true, TRUE.
My heart needed to hear this as I have a BIG dream of moving to be near my two boys and their wonderful families. Unfortunately, my husband does not share this dream and wants to stay put. I’m disappointed in a big way, but I know the Lord can do the impossible. I still hold on to this dream every time I visit. It’s over four hours to get to where they live, and as I’m in my 70’s it might get too hard to do in the future. Flying is not feasible as they live over an hour and half from he nearest airport. I’ll continue to dream and wait on the Lord. I only want to follow God’s way and will trust in His direction. The fact that Satan offers counterfeit dreams may be a possibility of the reason for this desire to be within my heart. I’m continuing to pray for direction and continue in my daily pursuit of God’s best! Thank you for such insightful words today.
All great points but loved #5! I know I can get hard on myself when the tasks don’t get done, yet it is part of living out God’s dream for us too. And smiled at the perimenopause as I get it!