Telling the Truth

February 21, 2016

John 8:43-47

Truth is absolutely essential for a Christian in order to “stand against the wiles [tactics] of the devil” (Eph. 6:11). We must have our “loins girt about with TRUTH” (Eph. 6:14).

God is the source of truth (v. 26; 17:3).
His word is Truth (John 17:17).
Jesus is the personification of truth (John 14:6).
The Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of Truth” (John 14:17). He guides us into all truth (John 16:13).

Satan is a liar and the enemy of truth (v. 44). He seeks to turn people from the truth (Acts 13:8; 2 Tim 4:4).

Jesus asks THREE QUESTIONS John 8. They are questions that concern three TRUTHS. Notice seven references to “truth” (vs. 32, 40, 44, 45, 46).

I. The truth about Jesus’ FATHER (v. 43—“Why do ye not understand my speech?”)

His “speech” was concerning His Father (cf. vs. 19, 27, 38-42).

Jesus mentioned THREE FATHERS (vs. 27-44)

A. “My Father” (vs. 27-29, 38).

v. 41— An attack of Christ’s deity. Accusation that He really was an illegitimate son of Mary and Joseph.

B. Father Abraham (vs. 32-43).

Truth liberates (v.32)—Falsehood enslaves… Truth makes one free—Lies puts one in bondage.
All sin is conceived in believing a LIE (Gen.3).
Jesus was showing the Jews that they were in bondage. They were believing a lie (v. 33).

They were in bondage to Egypt (Pharaoh); Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar), and Rome (Caesar). And they were in spiritual bondage to sin/Satan (v. 34).

What lies do—Lies blind you to the truth of your bondage and true condition. They blind to the fact of your sin.

The worst kind of bondage is the bondage a captive does not recognize. He thinks he is free, yet he is really a slave. (Cigarettes: “I can quit anytime!”)

4. Jesus asks, “Why do ye not understand my speech?” (v. 43). For the same reason people do not understand it today—They aren’t interested in hearing His Word— They don’t want to understand it! They can’t bear it! It is too offensive. It goes contrary to their humanistic philosophies. It rubs the fur the wrong way.

They would rather believe a lie (cf. v. 44). SEE Isa. 30:10; Jer. 5:31

C. “Your father… TheDevil” (vs. 38,44). What was the evidence their father was the devil? It was in their spiritual DNA

They rejected the truth (v. 40).
They sought to kill Jesus who spoke the truth (v. 40).
They did not love Jesus (v.42).
They performed the lust of the devil (v. 44)
They refused to hear God’s Word (v.47). If they were the children of God they would hear Jesus’ words because His words come from God.