04/14/2024
For your consideration…
When I was growing up, we exposed “knock-offs”! If you wore wigs and weaves, we laughed you out of the school! If you wore bo-bo’s or non-branded shoes, we laughed you off the court! We easily recognized a “brand” as an identifier of quality!
Things have drastically changed! Now it’s NORMAL to wear, embrace, and even identify as a “brand”, but be a knock-off walking around in plain sight! What’s the difference between a real brand and a knock-off? Authenticity! Knock-offs are COUNTERFEITS! They always seem the same, but something is always a little “different”! It’s watered down, its shape is a lil bit different, the color ain’t quite right…”something” is missing!
Many have gained access to knock-offs by shopping at outlets! We’ve been granted access to items we normally couldn’t afford and are now normalizing “quality” at a discounted rate! The truth is, if you look closely, what you’re purchasing is considered in the distribution cycle as an “irregular”! A TRUE brand would NEVER disrespect its quality with a discounted price! Pay attention to that bottle of discount perfume! The truth is, it’s passed its shelf-life and is a department store leftover! Pay attention to that name-brand “discount” or “outlet” store! That store is full of “irregulars” or “rejected” items that wouldn’t be accepted at a major store or is from a previous season!
The reason this is such an epidemic is because knock-offs have become socially acceptable and we’ve embraced an era of character-compromise! It’s getting harder everyday to identify authenticity! This is evident not only in products, but in business, in industry, and unfortunately in ministry!
No sneaker collector would purchase a pair of Jordans without clearly inspecting the authenticity of the brand! But, in this age of “cancel-culture” and social media, we’ve labeled true counterfeits as “influencers”! We’ll only wear authentic Jordans, but have the nerve to style it with a knock-off LV shirt, Gucci frames with plastic lenses, and a jacket that’s almost Armani! We’re calling out-of-season “vintage”, but the brand doesn’t recognize the value!
If you’re going to be a business, be authentic! Have enough character to actually learn the skill to compete in the industry! Let’s teach our children the difference between real musical talent and mumble-music influencers! If you’re going to portray a wealthy lifestyle, prioritize life and health insurance over a handbag! If you’re going to be in ministry, make certain that your oil isn’t passed it’s shelf-life! If you’re going to lead people and represent Jesus, you deserve to be scrutinized with a magnifying glass, just like a pair of Jordans!
Beware! We’ve been clearly instructed to “mark” and “avoid” the counterfeits! I’m not suggesting that we cancel everybody and everything, but I do think we’re responsible for holding people accountable for character and authenticity! Just like we ain’t buying fake J’s, we ain’t clapping for fake Jesus! Get back in the book and stop the shenanigans! It’s hard to follow a counterfeit, but honestly, ain’t many real options these days! We just ain’t coming!
Romans 16:17-18 (MSG)
“One final word of counsel, friends. Keep a sharp eye out for those who take bits and pieces of the teaching that you learned and then use them to make trouble. Give these people a wide berth. They have no intention of living for our Master Christ. They’re only in this for what they can get out of it, and aren’t above using pious sweet talk to dupe unsuspecting innocents.”
-RJS
One final word of counsel, friends. Keep a sharp eye out for those who take bits and pieces of the teaching that you learned and then use them to make trouble. Give these people a wide berth. They hav
