Deaf
Opening Prayer
Jesus, my Lord, I know Your truth-saying could easily upset me. But let me hear it, be guided by it, and let it set me free.
Read John 8:42-47
[42] Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. [43] Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. [44] You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. [45] Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! [46] Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? [47] Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Why were the Jewish leaders unable to hear Jesus and love him?“Lying is probably one of the most common wrong acts that we carry out,” says the BBC Ethics webpage, and yet “most people would condemn lying except when there’s a good reason for it.” Perhaps you agree. Fifth-century bishop, Augustine, wrote two books on lying. He grouped them into eight classes including those that “harm others and help no one,” those that “harm others and help someone” and lies told “to please others in smooth discourse.” The most serious of all, he said, were “lies in religious teaching.” What kind of lying do you think Jesus is talking about here (44)? Jesus and the Gospel writers made frequent reference to “the father of all lies” (Matt. 4:1-11; 13:39; 25:41; John 6:70), but to the present day his followers have varied hugely in their beliefs about the devil–with a whole spectrum ranging from negation to obsession. What do you believe, and why? Do these Bible references help your understanding at all? Today’s passage reminds us that his ultimate goal is to lead people away from God.
Apply
Listen to what God says through his Word, and ask Jesus to lead you into the truth.
Closing prayer
Dear Jesus, help me understand the deceit of the devil. Guide me toward Your truth today.
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