Almost a year ago, I received an email from Dr. Josh Axe with an article entitled “7 Signs Your Salt Lamp is Fake.” The email arrived at the same time my social media became swamped with ideals suggesting how real Christians should be living. As I read his seven signs, a list of my own began to form: “7 Signs Your Christian Lamp Is Fake.” After a rebirth of the “real Christian search” began on social media - again- the list of 7 signs did too.
Here is part two of The Seven Signs with Dr. Axe’s 7 Signs Your Salt Lamp is Fake and my own list of 7 Signs Your Christian Lamp Is Fake.
2. Highly Durable: If your salt lamp is unaffected by a collision, it could likely be an imposter.
Durable is defined as able to exist for a long time without significant deterioration in quality or value (Merriam-webster.com) A fake salt lamp is unaffected by a collision but the same should be said about a real Christian. Anyone with a genuine faith understands that while collisions in life are painful and hard to endure, without Christ - collisions would shatter them. When Jesus told the parable of the seeds He said, “The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word” Mark 4:16-17, NLT). If you want to know a real Christian keep your eyes open for one whose faith has been deepened by the collisions they’ve experienced in life. An imposter blames God for the collision – and walks away; a real Christian seeks shelter and purpose from Him. When trials come – and they will – does your faith deteriorate or increase in value?
3. Very Bright Light: A true salt lamp does not give off enough light to completely illuminate a room. If yours does - then it’s most likely not the real deal.
Well, guess what? While a fake salt lamp shouldn’t illuminate an entire room, a real Christian should. If the Christians you know don’t shine with the light of Jesus, maybe they simply aren’t the real deal. Jesus said, “‘You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house’” (Matthew 5:14-15, NLT). Have you ever known someone who – as soon as they walked in the door – gave the entire room a lift with the light of Jesus? Boy, I sure have. I want to stand next to them. I want to bask in the glow. I want to be one of them. Want to be the real deal? Let your light shine! Bright.
4. Inexpensive White Crystal: So if you find a white salt crystal lamp that’s not substantially more expensive than the pink/orange versions, steer clear because this is likely an imposter.
An imposter might lead you to believe there is no cost to living life as a real Christian but Jesus would tell you otherwise. When approached by someone who said, “I will follow you wherever you go” Jesus took him up on his offer and said, “Follow Me.” The man’s response was “Let me first go and...” Not once but twice the answer was “let me first go…” To which Jesus replied, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:57-62). The cost to a real Christian is substantially more than other versions would want you to believe. Without a cost, this is likely an imposter.
5. No Mention of Pakistan: Deep underground mines in Khewra, Pakistan, are the only source of true Himalayan pink salt.
No mention of Jesus and you’re missing the only Source of true Christianity. Jesus is the foundation of a real Christian’s faith. He went to the cross for us. He suffered and died for us. He bore sin and shame for us. Paul wrote in Romans 10, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (vs.9-10, NLT). A real Christian recognizes Jesus as the only Source of salvation and lives a life grateful and devoted to Him.
6. Moisture-Resistant: By its inherent nature, salt is an absorber of water. If your salt lamp has no problem being near a moisture source (like a shower), this is a good sign that you own a fake. A true salt lamp is prone to some sweating when exposed to moisture.
A real Christian is prone to some sweating when exposed, as well. Paul wrote, “… all things become visible when they are exposed by the light [of God’s precepts], for it is light that makes everything visible” (Ephesians 5:13, AMP). A real Christian allows the light of Jesus and the conviction of the Holy Spirit to expose sin. And while they might experience some “sweating” while in the hot seat, real Christians seek to “carefully determine what pleases the Lord” (vs.10) and live accordingly. Real Christians are quick to repent and confess when sin has been exposed. What’s a good sign of an imposter? No problem being near a sinful source with no fear of the Lord.
7. Not Experiencing Any Benefits: If you’re sure that you bought the appropriately sized salt lamp for the space you’re using it in and you’ve also been exposed to it on a regular basis and don’t see any positive effects whatsoever, then you may not have a real Himalayan salt lamp.
Not experiencing any benefits as a Christian? Have you been exposed on a regular basis to Christians and not seen any positive effects whatsoever? – then you might not be exposed to a real one. I suppose this may sound disappointing to some – even harsh or judgmental to others – but the truth is Jesus said “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10, NKJV). Real Christians experience positive change in their attitude and behavior—they don’t live according to CNN, Fox News, or MSNBC— they live by the standard of the Bible and it shows.
Dr. Axe says, If you buy a true Himalayan salt lamp and use it regularly, you may just notice easier breathing, a calmer demeanor and better sleep in your near future. I dare say - the same will be said for those who decide to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation and use the Word of God regularly. You may just notice love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in your near future. And the best part is: others will too.
As we allow God to change our identities – one letter at time – real Christians remember, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned” (Matthew 5:13, NKJV)?
#BeYou
S-Salt
(but please make sure it’s real)
Here is part two of The Seven Signs with Dr. Axe’s 7 Signs Your Salt Lamp is Fake and my own list of 7 Signs Your Christian Lamp Is Fake.
- Poor Return Policy: If a salt lamp’s maker is extremely strict (like a “NO RETURNS” policy), then it makes you wonder if it’s a scam operation.
2. Highly Durable: If your salt lamp is unaffected by a collision, it could likely be an imposter.
Durable is defined as able to exist for a long time without significant deterioration in quality or value (Merriam-webster.com) A fake salt lamp is unaffected by a collision but the same should be said about a real Christian. Anyone with a genuine faith understands that while collisions in life are painful and hard to endure, without Christ - collisions would shatter them. When Jesus told the parable of the seeds He said, “The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word” Mark 4:16-17, NLT). If you want to know a real Christian keep your eyes open for one whose faith has been deepened by the collisions they’ve experienced in life. An imposter blames God for the collision – and walks away; a real Christian seeks shelter and purpose from Him. When trials come – and they will – does your faith deteriorate or increase in value?
3. Very Bright Light: A true salt lamp does not give off enough light to completely illuminate a room. If yours does - then it’s most likely not the real deal.
Well, guess what? While a fake salt lamp shouldn’t illuminate an entire room, a real Christian should. If the Christians you know don’t shine with the light of Jesus, maybe they simply aren’t the real deal. Jesus said, “‘You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house’” (Matthew 5:14-15, NLT). Have you ever known someone who – as soon as they walked in the door – gave the entire room a lift with the light of Jesus? Boy, I sure have. I want to stand next to them. I want to bask in the glow. I want to be one of them. Want to be the real deal? Let your light shine! Bright.
4. Inexpensive White Crystal: So if you find a white salt crystal lamp that’s not substantially more expensive than the pink/orange versions, steer clear because this is likely an imposter.
An imposter might lead you to believe there is no cost to living life as a real Christian but Jesus would tell you otherwise. When approached by someone who said, “I will follow you wherever you go” Jesus took him up on his offer and said, “Follow Me.” The man’s response was “Let me first go and...” Not once but twice the answer was “let me first go…” To which Jesus replied, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:57-62). The cost to a real Christian is substantially more than other versions would want you to believe. Without a cost, this is likely an imposter.
5. No Mention of Pakistan: Deep underground mines in Khewra, Pakistan, are the only source of true Himalayan pink salt.
No mention of Jesus and you’re missing the only Source of true Christianity. Jesus is the foundation of a real Christian’s faith. He went to the cross for us. He suffered and died for us. He bore sin and shame for us. Paul wrote in Romans 10, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (vs.9-10, NLT). A real Christian recognizes Jesus as the only Source of salvation and lives a life grateful and devoted to Him.
6. Moisture-Resistant: By its inherent nature, salt is an absorber of water. If your salt lamp has no problem being near a moisture source (like a shower), this is a good sign that you own a fake. A true salt lamp is prone to some sweating when exposed to moisture.
A real Christian is prone to some sweating when exposed, as well. Paul wrote, “… all things become visible when they are exposed by the light [of God’s precepts], for it is light that makes everything visible” (Ephesians 5:13, AMP). A real Christian allows the light of Jesus and the conviction of the Holy Spirit to expose sin. And while they might experience some “sweating” while in the hot seat, real Christians seek to “carefully determine what pleases the Lord” (vs.10) and live accordingly. Real Christians are quick to repent and confess when sin has been exposed. What’s a good sign of an imposter? No problem being near a sinful source with no fear of the Lord.
7. Not Experiencing Any Benefits: If you’re sure that you bought the appropriately sized salt lamp for the space you’re using it in and you’ve also been exposed to it on a regular basis and don’t see any positive effects whatsoever, then you may not have a real Himalayan salt lamp.
Not experiencing any benefits as a Christian? Have you been exposed on a regular basis to Christians and not seen any positive effects whatsoever? – then you might not be exposed to a real one. I suppose this may sound disappointing to some – even harsh or judgmental to others – but the truth is Jesus said “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10, NKJV). Real Christians experience positive change in their attitude and behavior—they don’t live according to CNN, Fox News, or MSNBC— they live by the standard of the Bible and it shows.
Dr. Axe says, If you buy a true Himalayan salt lamp and use it regularly, you may just notice easier breathing, a calmer demeanor and better sleep in your near future. I dare say - the same will be said for those who decide to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation and use the Word of God regularly. You may just notice love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in your near future. And the best part is: others will too.
As we allow God to change our identities – one letter at time – real Christians remember, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned” (Matthew 5:13, NKJV)?
#BeYou
S-Salt
(but please make sure it’s real)
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