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Is it a Dupe or the Real Thing

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When I lived in Grundy, two women would drive a van from business to business. The van was filled with clothing, shoes, handbags, and perfume. People inside the businesses would go outside and look through the van to see if there were any items they needed for themselves or to give as gifts.

As you can imagine, the women were extremely busy, especially during the holidays. Most of the items in the van were “similar” to well-known brands that cost a whole lot more. You had Nike-looking sweatshirts, UGG-looking boots, perfumes that smelled like Armani, and handbags similar to Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, or Gucci. These items looked enough like the real thing to fool people, especially if you didn’t examine them closely.

Everyone who bought the products knew they were dupes. The term “dupe” refers to a lower-priced version of a popular, typically high-end product, but at a more affordable cost. I’m sure we’ve all seen these products and might even own a couple. The products can be made from the same materials, but they don’t have the same workmanship. If you were to try and sell your dupe, you would find out its true value. Whereas the real high-end product will hold its value and can even become more valuable over time.

Similar items aren’t limited to clothing, handbags, and perfume. Manufacturers are required to list the ingredients in food and drugs. How many of you have bought the “store label” soup instead of Campbell’s? You might even take a generic drug instead of the name brand which probably developed the drug. It is up to you to decide if the soup’s flavor is close enough to the real thing or if the generic drug gives you the same results as the name brand.

But, when it comes to Christ, don’t fall for dupes. Even back in the early times, there have been dupes when it comes to Christianity.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

Matthew 7:15

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

2 Peter 2:1-3

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

Joe has always said that the best-told lie has just enough truth in it to make it believable. The devil knows Jesus and might even trick you by declaring that Jesus is real. For the devil to deceive you, he has to get you to trust him. He will tell you just enough truths to gain access to you; then, he will start to plant his lies. He will begin to sow doubt and then start distorting the truth, just like he did with Adam and Eve.

Genesis 3:1

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

If you have people in your life who cause you to doubt the Lord, you need to tread very carefully. You can still love them, but you need to guard your heart. Everyone doesn’t need access to your heart, and it is crucial that you question their motives. There is a difference between someone questioning the Lord’s existence with the hope of learning more, and someone trying to get you to also start questioning Him.

Matthew 4:10

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'”

The Lord will never leave you, and He has given you the authority also to tell Satan to go away. Worship the Lord your God, and serve HIM only!

To God Goes The Glory!

Have A Blessed Day!

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70 Comments

  5. Dupes are so popular in today’s disposable world. But one thing is for sure, we as Christian’s must stay awake to not be duped by the many dupes (deceivers) in this world. I love John 10, but especially love v. 5: “They will never follow a stranger (a dupe); in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a strangers voice.” I enjoy the truths that you post.

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  7. Thank you Tanya for the reminder, especially in our political and cultural climate today! Our God is an awesome God!

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  9. That was a great post, Tania. I love how you related the false teachers/teachings to merchandise dupes. We all need to be Bereans and make sure we are being taught the TRUTH of God’s Word.

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  14. God bless you, Tania. Thank you, the false ones show up in many forms. A prayer for clear-sighted view of those who call to us.

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  25. You have such a talent for your analogies between “real life” and scripture. Thank you for your Sunday posts. I eagerly await them every week. Blessings to you and yours.

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  26. Very timely and a great reminder to be aware of dupes in our lives. Thank you. Came here for fashion and makeup tips for my age group and pleasantly surprised by the devotional. Again, thank you

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  28. People really need this to remind us of real reason for the season! Merry Christmas and thank you continuing to share the most important message of our lives!

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  34. Amen! In these times we need to be especially vigilant, even in our churches. Have a blessed week!
    Jenniffer

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  35. What an awesome post. I loved every single word. I’m so glad that I found your blog. I love EVERYTHING about it. Thank you for always sharing your Christian faith with us all.
    Have a blessed day 🙏🏻

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  36. Such a fantastic analogy and so true. Paying attention to the unction of the Holt Spirit of what is true.

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  39. Tania, I really appreciate your Sunday blogs! Your message today is excellent. Particularly in light of what is going on in the world. Sadly, so many people (myself not excluded) can be easily duped by something (or someone) that seems so real. The best remedy is spending time in prayer and in His word.
    Thanks!

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  41. Thank you for this message today. It is an important one in today’s world of celebrity and political ideology.

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  45. There is only one Redeemer. 100 % Authentic. As the commercial goes, “What’s in YOUR wallet?” I’d say, “Who’s in my heart?”

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  50. Holding onto THE Truth during challenging times gives us hope. Our world wants us to believe that there are many truths and that you can choose your own truth. Thank you for bringing this topic up today. A great reminder to be aware of what we are believing.

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  59. Tania, thank you for the message today. Jesus is the most precious gift and there is no other way to the father but through him. We must be very careful and not be drawn away from the truth and be deceived. We all need to be vigilant and guard our heart.

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  62. Great message today. Loved that you tied it back to something so ingrained in pop culture right now.
    May God let people hear the truth of this !

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  67. This is beautifully said, Tanya. Great comparisons between biblical and contemporary times. The message is the same then and now.

    Reply