What Jesus Did : John 8:13-16 - Discerning What is False
by Phil Ware
Discerning What is False - John 8:13-16
But the Pharisees said to Jesus, "When you talk about yourself, you are the only one to say that these things are true. So we cannot accept these things you say." Jesus answered, "Yes, I am saying these things about myself. But people can believe these things I say. Why? Because I know where I came from. And I know where I am going. But you don't know where I came from or where I am going. You judge me the way people judge other people. I don't judge any person. But if I judge, my judging is true. Why? Because when I judge I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
At first glance, we rush past these passages on false teaching. In a culture where the only real value is tolerance, we don't have much stomach for the possibility of dangerous false teaching. Jesus and his early followers knew there was a danger of false teaching. Just because Jesus was labeled a false teacher didn't mean he wasn't concerned about it. In fact, the accusations against him give us some tools for denoting false teachers. Do they do the work of God? Do we know where they came from? Have we seen the quality and character of their lives? Is their judgment and discernment reflective of God's truth? Jesus, when examined, shows himself to be true. Do these teachers who claim to come in his name?
Today's Prayer
Father, I believe that Jesus is your standard of truth and righteousness. Please help me discern that truth in my life. Please help me guard my steps from those who claim to come in his name but who are false. Please guard my heart against those whose teaching does not come from you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Later, Jesus talked to the people again. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. The person that follows me will never live in darkness. That person will have the light that gives life." But the Pharisees said to Jesus, "When you talk about yourself, you are the only one to say that these things are true. So we cannot accept these things you say." Jesus answered, "Yes, I am saying these things about myself. But people can believe these things I say. Why? Because I know where I came from. And I know where I am going. But you don't know where I came from or where I am going. You judge me the way people judge other people. I don't judge any person. But if I judge, my judging is true. Why? Because when I judge I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. Your own law says that when two witnesses say the same thing, then you must accept what they say. I am one of the witnesses that speaks about myself. And the Father who sent me is my other witness." The people asked, "Where is your father?" Jesus answered, "You don't know me or my Father. But if you knew me, then you would know my Father too." Jesus said these things while he was teaching in the temple area. He was near the place where all the people came to give money. But no person arrested him. The right time for Jesus had not yet come.-- John 8:12-20 (ERV)
URL: http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/john/0612-wjd.html
(c)2001-2006, Phil Ware and Heartlight, Inc.
©1996-2002, Heartlight, Inc. - http://www.heartlight.org