We Are the Image of God—But There’s a Counterfeit

 

"God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." — Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)

Yes, you read that right. You were made to reflect God’s glory. But here’s the catch: the devil hates this truth. Just as God works to restore His image in us, Satan works overtime to distort, counterfeit, and hijack this divine design.

Let’s break it down.

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1. God’s Original Blueprint: Top-Down Transformation

God’s plan for humanity has always been clear and unchanging:

• Created in His image (Gen. 1:27).
• Fell into sin, breaking that reflection (Rom. 3:23).
• Redeemed through Christ—the "express image" of God (Heb. 1:3).
• Restored by the Spirit: "We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory." (2 Cor. 3:18).

This is God’s top-down process:

1. He initiates (salvation).
2. We respond (faith, obedience).
3. The Spirit transforms us into Christ’s likeness.

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2. The Devil’s Counterfeit: Bottom-Up Imitation

Satan can’t create—he twists. Just as he misquoted Scripture to Jesus (Matt. 4:6), he deceives people today with cheap imitations of God’s image:

• Self-made spirituality ("Enlightenment within! No need for Christ!").
• Moralism ("Be a good person—that’s enough!").
• Humanism ("You are the god of your own life!").

These are counterfeits—man’s attempt to "build" godliness from the bottom up, relying on human effort rather than divine grace.

The result? A distorted image. Like a cracked mirror, it reflects something—but not the true glory of God.

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3. Spotting the Fake: How to Stay Genuine

The world is full of knockoffs, but you’re called to be the real deal. Here’s how to discern:

✅ GOD’S WAY (Top-Down)

• Source: Christ’s finished work (John 19:30).
• Power: The Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).
• Result: "As He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17).

❌ COUNTERFEIT (Bottom-Up)

• Source: Human wisdom (Col. 2:8).
• Power: Self-effort (Gal. 3:3).
• Result: "Having a form of godliness but denying its power." (2 Tim. 3:5).

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4. The Ultimate Goal: Fully Like Jesus

One day, the process will be complete:
"We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3:2).

Until then, we fight to stay true:

• Fix your eyes on Christ (Heb. 12:2).
• Renew your mind daily (Rom. 12:2).
• Resist the devil’s shortcuts (James 4:7).

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Final Thought: You’re Not a Cheap Imitation

The world sells duplicates, but you’re an original—crafted by God, redeemed by Christ, and shaped by the Spirit. Don’t settle for a self-made identity. Walk in the one you were made for.

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son." (Rom. 8:29).

Question for reflection: Where have you seen counterfeits try to replace God’s design? How are you guarding your heart?