John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. 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.
In order to worship the Heavenly Father in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24), we need to grasp the connection between our spiritual paternity and our conduct. As a rule, each one of us manifests the traits of our spiritual father.
Jesus states categorically that, in spite of their religious protestations, His audience’s moral fruit betrayed their evil spiritual paternity. He reveals that their hostile, murderous and lying conduct is typical of the devil–the father of lies and inventor of murder.
Please understand that even genuine children of God can be infected by diabolic bugs of lies, hate, strife and so forth, just as germs and viruses can attack our physical health. That is why wise believers do not tolerate any form of sin in their hearts–lest we resemble the wrong father!
In fact, because our Heavenly Father is love (1 John 4:8), we do not tolerate any unloving thoughts, words and deeds. Because our God is the Author of Truth (John 17:17), our Saviour is the Truth (John 14:6), and our Helper is the Spirit of Truth (John 15:26), our thoughts, words, motives and deeds should be typically truthful.
Beloved, let us represent our Heavenly Father worthily. Let us speak the truth in love. Let us keep our promises. Let us be faithful, sincere and honest. Let our good works point to the true and living God. Dear Christian, be a man or woman of your word. Don’t confuse sinners about who your spiritual father is. As a child of God, do not behave like a child of the devil. Confess, reject and shun every trace of lies, hate, fear and sin that threatens your spiritual health and ruins your spiritual identity.
Pastor Josh