February 22, 2023

John 7: 17 “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.” (NIV)

A lifetime of studying the Bible is of no avail if a man’s will and desire is out of harmony with God’s will.*

Ever heard someone referred to as an “educated fool”? This is a person who knows a lot of stuff but doesn’t know how to do anything. And in the case of the Jewish rulers in Jesus’ audience, they weren’t even interested in putting their vast knowledge to work. They were content with their big heads and flabby spiritual muscles. Jesus’ doubters were right to question his authenticity, but they were not interested in proving him right. Their concern about God’s will went no further than their knowledge of scripture.

If we choose to do God’s will, we will endeavor to find out for ourselves whether another person is speaking truth. This doesn’t mean that if we sincerely wish to do God’s will, we will mysteriously and automatically receive deep spiritual understanding. Jesus tells us that if seeking God’s will is our true desire, we will be proactive in searching his word. When you get into the word, the Holy Spirit does his work in you, revealing truth and providing direction and wisdom.

Spiritual understanding is not produced solely by learning facts or procedures, but rather it depends on obedience to known truth.*