Fool's Gold
In the time of the gold rushes on the frontier of our country, there were many men whose hearts leaped with joy at a find, only to discover what they had uncovered was fool’s gold. It was called “fool’s gold,” because it fooled the novice. The difference is in value – real gold is precious; fool’s gold is worthless.
The assayer would have difficulty convincing a novice that his discovery was not real but the finder’s firm persuasion that his discovery was real didn’t sway the assayer’s judgment so as to get him to shell out money. He would finally pocket his “fool’s gold” and go his way dejected because he had been fooled but he was, at least, enlightened. To cling tenaciously to his belief that his find was genuine would only compound his problems.
On the other hand, an old, experienced gold digger could, with but a glance, determine the validity of a find. He had learned through many experiences to differentiate between the real and the fool’s. He was never afraid to have his claim tested and he wasn’t going to waste his time digging for worthless metal.
To ask some people to test the validity of their convictions seems almost to be an insult to them. Though their soul’s condition may be based on a false estimation of value, they are satisfied to be deceived with a religion of “fool’s gold,” (note Galatians 1:8-9). They seem to think that, because they believe it to be so, then it must be so.
For something of much greater value than gold, one can hardly afford to accept a system of faith deficient in power to save (Romans 1:16-17). Be honest searchers (Acts 17:11).