Jesus calls them out. John 8.42-47

Click to read passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%208.42-47&version=NLT&interface=print

Key verse: Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! ⁴⁴ For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does.

There are none so blind as those who will not see.  We picture the setting again—Jesus is teaching the people, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  Immediately, they push back, ‘we have never been slaves … why, Abraham is our father…and then, ‘God himself is our true father!’ 

Jesus tells them they do not recognize him as the Son of God, and they cannot understand his truth because they are children of the devil, caught in his lies.  Jesus says of him, “He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.”  Did you know that the devil lies to you as well?  What sort of lies does he whisper around you?

Lies, just plain lies – ‘The Word of God is not the whole truth.  You can add a little eastern philosophy, a little zen this and New Age that, and make it better.’ ‘You can’t be stupid enough to think that Jesus is the only way to God?  Look at all these other good people.’  Lies of temptation - ‘Pssst…do you know how great it would be if you did this?  Heck, no one would know…come on, you know it would feel good.’  ‘Do you know how great it would feel if you were the boss of this establishment?  THEN your life would feel complete…then everyone would see how smart, how clever you are … power is good.’  Lies of condemnation – ‘Hey, Loser- you’ve never been able to do it, and you never will.  Give up now!’  Lies of guilt – ‘Remember when you did that?  You should feel so bad about that … you’re nothing but a hypocrite!   

These are familiar lies that play in our minds at different times; so now that you are aware . . . what to do?  Look to Jesus for direction: remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Don't believe the lies.

Christine

Pastorwoman.com