Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Exodus 8:1-9:35, Matthew 19:13-30, Psalm 24:1-10, Proverbs 6:1-5

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The Danger Of Counterfeit Faith

Today, we see a powerful example of true faith versus false faith. Moses walked in genuine faith. He relied on God, trusted God, believed God, and when times became difficult, he ran to God. Pharaoh, however, was the opposite. He relied on false gods, which produced a counterfeit faith.

When God sent the plague of frogs, Pharaoh’s magicians were able to do the same thing. On the surface, that sounds impressive. But here is the problem—it was only a forgery. The enemy can imitate, but he cannot redeem. What looked like a miracle only added to the problem.

Let that sink in.

God sent frogs as a judgment and a warning. Instead of repenting, Pharaoh called in counterfeit power. And what did it produce? More frogs. More misery. More chaos. No relief. No healing. No freedom. Just, “Look, we can do it too.”

That is a word for us today.

Many claim to have “power,” “spirituality,” and “manifestations,” but there is no repentance, no holiness, and no transformation. If it does not lead people to Jesus, it is just more frogs.

And the worst part is this: Pharaoh now felt justified in staying the same. He had a reason not to humble himself, not to believe God, and not to surrender. He did not need more frogs. He needed humility and obedience.

But the enemy’s strategy is always the same:
“Don’t surrender. You don’t need God. You’ve got options.”

So the magicians gave Pharaoh an excuse to delay obedience. And delay is one of Satan’s favorite weapons.

“I’ll deal with God later.”
“I’ll change later.”
“I’ll obey later.”

Later keeps people in chains.

Eventually, Pharaoh realized the magicians could not remove the plagues. Scripture says,

“Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and begged, ‘Plead with the Lord to take the frogs away… I will let your people go.’” (Exodus 8:8 NLT)

That sounds sincere, doesn’t it?

But then,

“When Pharaoh saw that relief had come, he changed his mind and refused to listen.” (Exodus 8:15 NLT)

There it is.

Once he received the relief he wanted, he reversed his decision. He broke his promise. He hardened his heart again. He manipulated the mercy God had shown him.

Pharaoh did not want God. He wanted relief. And once he got what he wanted, he went right back to his old ways.

This was not repentance.
It was negotiation.

“God, fix this and I’ll behave.”

If we are honest, many of us have prayed that prayer at some point.

But where is our heart?

Do we only humble ourselves when pain comes?
Do we only seek God when we are desperate?
Do we repeat this cycle like Pharaoh did?

With Moses, we see true humility and repentance. He left a life of comfort and privilege and became a shepherd in the desert. When God appeared to him in the burning bush, Moses surrendered in reverence and humility. Even when God’s calling seemed overwhelming, he accepted it and obeyed.

He trusted God.
He believed God.
He obeyed again and again.

That is the difference between real faith and a forgery of faith.

With Moses, we see:
Original → Surrender → Obedience → Submission → Repentance → Reward

With Pharaoh, we see:
Imitation → Justification → Delay → Bargaining → Relief → Rebellion

We must learn the difference. And we must choose for ourselves.

Don’t settle for substitutes. Choose surrender. Choose obedience. Choose God—again and again. 💎

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Action (5 Minutes with God)

Choose God again today by taking 5 quiet minutes to sit with Him and ask Him to search your heart. Invite the Holy Spirit to show you any area where you may be settling for substitutes instead of surrender, delay instead of obedience, or comfort instead of conviction. Ask Him:

• “What do You want me to know about this today, Lord?”
  • Journal what He whispers by His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He whispers – then do it!

Let today be a day of recommitment to the One True God —without excuses, bargaining, or delay.

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Prayer

Father God, thank You for Your patience and mercy in my life. Forgive me for the times I have chosen comfort over conviction and substitutes over surrender. Search my heart and cleanse me from anything that keeps me from fully following You. I choose You today—freely, fully, and without conditions. Help me to walk in true faith, lasting obedience, and joyful surrender. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.