What Jesus Did! 'Know Your Enemy' — John 8:41-44

Monday, June 22, 2026

[To the Jews, Jesus continued,] "No, you are imitating your real father."

They replied, "We aren't illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father."

Jesus told them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. Why can't you understand what I am saying? It's because you can't even hear me! For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. 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."

— John 8:41-44 NLT

Key Thought

Satan is behind evil in all of its forms, including the religious evil that sent Jesus to the cross. Make no mistake; Satan distorts, deceives, and lies. His goal is murder and destruction. Let's not take him lightly. At the same time, let's not cower before his threats. Jesus conquered him for us in the cross, and that victory was demonstrated through the resurrection. Let's make sure that we stick with Christ, hold to his teaching, and live his truth. Let's make it clear to the evil one that he has no hold on us. [1]

[1] Colossians 1:12-14, 2:12-15, 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18.

Today's Prayer

Almighty and glorious Father, deliver me from the evil one for all power, all honor, and all glory are yours. Help me hold Jesus' truth up as my example and live it fully in my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Nuggets of Truth
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Friend, The verses below come from a very contentious time when the religious leaders were trying to trick Me into a religious trap so they..."
Father of Lies
Article by Sarah Stirman
Whose voice do you listen to? Satan is the Father of lies and tries to get us to believe his cruel and ugly lies.
Poison Ivy
Article by Mike Barres
Are you playing with poison? Sin always hurts us and harms those we love, but Satan often delays our consequences so that we can get more and more involved in it and then he deeply wounds us and those we love.
God's Children
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[To the Jews, Jesus continued,] "For you are the children of your father the devil... So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don't believe me!....."
See All 6 Related Resources about John 8:41-44

Illustration

Illustration of John 8:41-44 NLT — "No, you are imitating your real father."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, June 22, 2026

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Immanuel: In Spiritual Family'
"Dear Beloved, I began yesterday to share with you the four Immanuel passages in the book of Matthew. Recall that Immanuel is the name given to Me in...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Eyewitnesses' (1 Co. 15:5-10)
"Dear Father, God of real history, Thank you for the testimony of eyewitnesses who saw Christ alive after his crucifixion: Cephas, the twelve, more..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: John 16:33
"Art thou asking the reason of this, believer? Look upward to thy heavenly Father, and behold him pure and holy. Dost thou know that thou art one day....."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'True Treasure, Not Rust and Ruin' (Mt. 6:19-20)
"Don't store treasures for yourselves here on earth where moths and rust will destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them. But store your..."

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!