John 7:16-18 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
Halfway through the Feast, Jesus stood to teach. The words that flowed from His mouth brought great knowledge to those who were present, so much so that they were amazed that someone of such a humble existence, someone without the privilege of education, could speak the truth of God in such a manner. “It comes from God,” Jesus told them. Jesus wanted them to understand that he who desires to serve God will speak and teach with great wisdom, great knowledge; but he who speaks or teaches to serve himself, well his teaching is as foolish as the messenger giving the presentation. Choosing to do the will of God sets before us an abundance of opportunities, but choosing to pretend to do the will of God only makes it harder for those truly seeking God to find His true existence. To them, God is the personification of the falsehoods with which they were taught.
Prayer Starter:
Lord, may I always seek to exalt You by choosing to make You the center of my life, the center of my existence, and the center of my teachings.
