In chapters 7 through 10 of his Gospel, John records escalating conflict between Jesus and Israel's religious leaders. "How does he know so much," these puzzled leaders ask themselves (in 7:15), "when he hasn't studied everything we've studied?" But their resistance to the truth He declares leads Jesus to brand them as blinded and aligned with the Devil. They charge Him with blasphemy and attempt to arrest and stone Him.

1. How does believing error enslave a person?



2. How does aligning one's life with Jesus' teaching free a person?



3. In what two senses (v. 39) could a person be a child of Abraham?



4. Why is it risky to assume that being raised in a Christian family or being a church member makes one an insider in God's Kingdom?



5. Why did the leaders fail to understand Jesus' words (v. 43)? Intellectual deficiency? Prejudice? Pride? Or something else?



6. Did Jesus call for blind faith? Or an honest inquiry with a commitment to act on the results?



7. Why must deceptive beliefs be ultimately traced to the devil?



8. If we don't listen gladly to some of God's words, what urgent action is required?

Ask God for the insight to distinguish His truth from the devil's deceptions, and the courage to stand up for it.

³¹Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. ³²And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." ³³"But we are descendants of Abraham," they said. "We have never been slaves to anyone on earth. What do you mean, 'set free'?"

³⁴Jesus replied, "I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave of sin. ³⁵A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. ³⁶So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.

³⁷Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because my message does not find a place in your hearts. ³⁸I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father." ³⁹"Our father is Abraham," they declared. "No," Jesus replied, "for if you were children of Abraham, you would follow his good example.

⁴⁰I told you the truth I heard from God, but you are trying to kill me. Abraham wouldn't do a thing like that. ⁴¹No, you are obeying your real father when you act that way." They replied, "We were not born out of wedlock! Our true Father is God himself." ⁴²Jesus 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.

⁴³Why can't you understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to do so! ⁴⁴For 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 and has always hated the truth. 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. ⁴⁵So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don't believe me!

⁴⁶Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me? ⁴⁷Anyone whose Father is God listens gladly to the words of God. Since you don't, it proves you aren't God's children."

Prayer for the Week

When Your truth is under attack, Lord, help me to stand up for it without belligerence.

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