Sneakers are a big business, and counterfeit sneakers are an even bigger business. It is estimated that the global market for brand-name sneakers is $72 billion global market.  A market where collectors own hundreds of pairs of new, limited-edition sneakers, many of them never worn. Who knew? 
On the other hand, the counterfeit market was estimated last year to have been worth $450 billion. Who knew?
To protect their reputations, resellers, such as eBay, have turned to sneaker authenticators.
Seriously it’s a real job, and the authenticators have various tools at their disposal to detect counterfeit sneakers. Including smelling the shoes.  Again, who knew?
But, their greatest tool is their familiarity with the real thing.  They know how they look, how they feel and how they smell.  And when they see a fake, they know it’s not the real thing. Not because they know the fake, but because they know the original.
In the Bible, Paul warns Timothy about those who teach a counterfeit gospel.  And Paul doesn’t tell Timothy to hire a gospel authenticator. Instead, he offers Timothy suggestions on how to detect the counterfeits himself. Like with sneakers, that means being so familiar with the real thing that you can immediately spot a fake.
Have a great week, and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.