WordFilled Wednesdays ~ John 8:47

There is nothing like Scripture to stir the soul and convict the spirit. This verse from John 8:47, can do just that, when we pause long enough to consider it's meaning.

First we have to look at the context from which this verse is taken. It is found in a passage spoken by Jesus to the "Children of the Devil." Yes, that is the subject title in the NIV translation, within chapter 8 of John. This passage begins at verse 42, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here..." and continues (verse 44), "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire...".

The question we must ask is who is Jesus speaking to? If you back up to the previous passage (verses 31-41), it is clear that Jesus is talking to those declaring themselves to be Abraham's descendent's, but whom are ready to murder him for speaking the truth.

Doesn't looking at this Scripture in context shed much light on this verse? The original Greek of hear brings even further illumination, as it translates: to heed, hearken, obey. Therefore, from verse 31 through 47, Jesus is conveying a message that is extremely relevant to us....

If you love God, your actions will prove it by how you receive me...His son.

If you belong to God, you will hear--heed and obey--what God says...and you will respond in a way that demonstrates you know that He, Jesus, is the way, the truth, and the life.

Henry Blackaby selected this verse for Scripture memory in Unit 5 of Experiencing God, which is the first of a two parts on how God speaks. Blackaby draws from Scripture to prove that God continue to speaks to today by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church, to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways. He uses this verse is to remind us that if we belong to God, we will indeed hear His voice.

The problem with hearing God is that most of us aren't listening carefully enough. We are caught up in doing things for the Lord, instead of being in relationship with God. Yes, I've been guilty of that on many occasions, so I appreciate Blackaby's candor and accountability, reminding me to turn into the arms of my Savior instead. What a refreshing perspective in our world of purpose-driven living. I'm all for missions and goal planning (hence my 8 in 2008 focus), but if that becomes more important than loving my God and spending time getting to know Him through His Word, I've missed out in an eternal way.

Blackaby sums it up best,

When God spoke, it was usually unique to that individual. For instance, Moses had no precedent for a burning bush experience. He could not say, "Oh, this is my burning bush experience. My fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had theirs, and this is mine." There were no other experiences of God speaking this way. It was unique, because God wants our experiences with Him, and His voice, to be personal to us. He wants us to look to Him in relationship rather than depend on some method or technique. If Moses had been around today, he would have been tempted to write a book about My Burning Bush Experience. The people all over our land would be out trying to find their burning bush. The key is not how God spoke, but that He spoke. That has not changed. He will speak to His people today.

I leave you with these questions, which I am grappling with myself:

• What method or technique have I been depending on to hear God speaking to me?
• What formula have a put before God as a means of confirming that I'm hearing from Him, instead of turning to the relationship with God and responding obediently when I hear Him speak by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the body of believers?

Lord, we confess that we have not heard you and responded to you because we've been planning and plotting and projecting how your voice should come to our ears. Forgive us, Lord. Cause us to obey your still small voice when you speaks uniquely into our souls. In Jesus' Name, Amen.



Isaiah 55:8
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.

Romans 1:6
An you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.