Q&R – Can Satan counterfeit spiritual fruit? Brad Jersak

Question Being an angel of light, can Satan mimic joy and other fruit of the Spirit to try and deceive us when we try to judge something or someone by its fruit? Can a non-Christian produce the fruit of the Spirit? Response First, I think it's helpful to remember the context of that phrase from 2 Corinthians 4. Here are some of the critical passages there: 3 But I am afraid that just as the serpent’s cunning deceived Eve, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit ...