What Jesus Did! 'God's Children' — John 8:44-47

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

[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! Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me? Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don't listen because you don't belong to God."
— John 8:44-47 NLT

Key Thought

God is the true Father of all people who look to his Son for their salvation. They listen to Jesus and do what he says. The faithful are not simply those on a list of notable people who have lived for Jesus in spectacular ways. No, the litmus test for all of us as children of God is this: Do we live what Jesus teaches?

Today's Prayer

Father God, please help my discipleship involve the way I live all of my life, not just my language at prayer time. Please forgive me for sometimes letting my discipleship and passion for Jesus not make it past my prayer time. Empower me as I seek to show my love for you in the way I live 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.
Know Your Enemy
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[To the Jews, Jesus continued,] "No, you are imitating your real father." They replied, "We aren't illegitimate children! God himself is our true...."
See All 6 Related Resources about John 8:44-47

Illustration

Illustration of John 8:44-47 NLT — "For you are the children of your father the devil...

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Heeding Warnings' (1 Co. 10:1-5)
"Dear Father, righteous judge of all mankind, Help me take to heart the examples of disobedience and punishment set by your ancient people as they..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Led by the Spirit of God' (Ro. 8:14)
"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Shout His Praise!' (Ps. 98:7-9)
"Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the earth and all living things join in. Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Reason to Celebrate'
"Dear Beloved, What's with all those somber faces among those who claim to follow Me? Yes, seriousness is demanded at certain times. Yes, My call for...."

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!