What Jesus Did! 'The Heart of God's Messenger' — John 7:18

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

[Teaching in the Temple, Jesus continued,] "Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies."
— John 7:18 NLT

Key Thought

What's your motive for pursuing Jesus? Why would you want to share your faith with a friend? Why would you speak to someone else about your Christian values? Jesus reminds us that the motivation of God's messengers is to honor the Father. So let's ask ourselves if what we say, teach, explain, expound, or suggest brings honor to God, or only to ourselves.

Today's Prayer

Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart and the motives for my speech be pleasing to you and bring you glory. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

What Will You Decide?
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious One, Do you really want to know whether or not I came from God or I am a fraud? First, you need to realize that is the real question....."

Illustration

Illustration of John 7:18 NLT — [Teaching in the Temple, Jesus continued,] "Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Don't Let Your Mind Be Led Away' (2 Co. 11:3)
"But I am afraid that your minds will be led away from your true and pure following of Christ just as Eve was tricked by the snake with his evil ways."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Speaking by the Holy Spirit' (Mk. 12:36)
"[Jesus said,] "David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Matthew 12:20
"What is weaker than the bruised reed or the smoking flax? A reed that groweth in the fen or marsh, let but the wild duck light upon it, and it snaps;...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
James 5:15
"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!