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

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'God's Servant for God's People' (Acts 3:22-26)
"[Peter continued,] "Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 4:18
"The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Matthew Henry:
"God has wisely kept us in the dark concerning future events and reserved for himself the knowledge of them, that he may train us up in a dependence upon himself..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
1 John 4:18
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

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!