Walk With God Daily Devotions

FRIDAY, 18 AUGUST 2023

TEXT: John 8:31-47

31: To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.

32: Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33: They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

34: Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

35: Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.

36: So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

37: I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word.

38: I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.”

39: “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did.

40: As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things.

41: You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”

42: Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.

43: Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.

44: You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

45: Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!

46: Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?

47: Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: THE NEED FOR HONESTY

Telling the truth does not always result in pleasant endings. Quite often, it is safer to tell a lie and receive praise than say the truth and bear unpleasant consequences.

However, doing the safe thing is not the same as doing the right thing. God has called us to do the right thing.

Honesty is an attitude of speaking the truth as contained in the ninth commandment God gave the children of Israel (Exodus 20:16). Truth is one of the qualities of a good Christian. In fact, Jesus is truth (John 14:6).

But Christians can suffer for telling, or standing for, the truth. God is always on the side of those who tell the truth.

However, sometimes this may result in extreme consequences such as ridicule, embarrassment, physical abuse and many forms of persecution. Lies can take many forms such as using false measuring devices, false adjustments of accounts, false statements of results, etc.

These and many others lead to distrust, more deceit (2 Kings 5:22; 25) and eternal death (Romans 6:23, Revelation 21:8).

As you go out today, stand for the truth so as to bring honour to God.

QUESTION: How do you feel whenever someone supports falsehood?

PRAYER: Oh Lord, awaken the Church from the deception of the enemy and help us to always stand by Your truth. Amen.