“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. 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.” (John 8:44, NIV84)
Jesus makes it quite clear that there is one person we should not go to in order to find truth: the devil. Jesus tells us that the devil does not hold to the truth because “there is no truth in him.” Adam and Eve learned that lesson when the devil wielded his lies and enticed them to doubt God’s truth and listen to him. They ate the fruit and died. They did not get what the Devil promised. They didn’t get what he promised because he doesn’t have anything to give. He is a liar and a murderer, and that is what Adam and Eve got. They were murdered. They died spiritually on that day and later died physically. Jesus warns us not to listen to what the devil has to say.
This implies that we have to live every day knowing that there is a devil who wants us dead. We need to accept the fact that not all sources of knowledge are truthful and right. We need to ignore the lies of the world, the devil, and our own sinful nature. We need to be in touch and in tune with the truths of God’s Word at all times. In contrast to the lies of the Devil, God’s Word is true and life-giving. Clarity and understanding start with God’s Word. His Word is the filter through which we should interpret and understand the world around us. Jesus says in John 5:24, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. ” (NAS)
Let’s be cautious as to whom and what we read and listen to. We must be wise enough to know that there is an enemy out there that desires to destroy us. Let’s cling to Jesus and His Word so that we might be protected from the lies and live in the life-giving power of the truth.
Peace!
Pastor Tom
www.firmlyrooted.church
