Devo, John

Stop Arguing With Him It’s Indefensible

Stop Arguing With Him It's Indefensible

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They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.”— John 8:39-41

As Jesus talks with these men about who he is, he wants them to know who they are. He tries to get them to think beyond their long-standing natural, physical, and ancestral assumptions. He wants them to look at life spiritually. But they don't get it. And because they don't understand it, Jesus tries to explain it another way. He starts with father Abraham presenting his heritage of faith and obedience that reveals who he was. He then contrasts this with who they are and the father they were born from — Satan. But again, they still don't get it.

This is like some of the arguments my wife and I have had over the years. At least once a year, we have an argument where she sees something one way, and I see it another. And we argue back and forth for hours over one tiny detail because she can't see it my way, and I can't see hers. This is not a perfect example of what is happening here because Jesus is always right, and mankind is always wrong. And in the case of my wife and me, she is never wrong even though I am always right, right?

That is what is happening here. These men are struggling to get it. It doesn't matter how Jesus says it. And now we will watch them try to defend their position with him — an indefensible position.

Here's the application.

If you are a believer, then Jesus is Lord. Don't try to defend your position before him. Accept that you are always wrong, and he is always right. Confess your wrongdoing and then work to see it from his perspective. Change course and do what he says even when you don't understand. And remember, that is what belief looks like. It's your actions adapted to what Jesus wants because he saved you and commands your life. It's his life affecting your identity, clarifying you are a son of God.

ASK THIS: Are you doing something indefensible that you are trying to defend?

DO THIS: Change course and do what God says even when it doesn't make sense.

PRAY THIS: God, I am doing it your way from now on.

PLAY THIS: God's Way.

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6 thoughts on “Stop Arguing With Him It’s Indefensible”

  1. John Laumb says:

    Today’s message on not arguing with Him hit the mark perfectly. I seem to fall into that problem regularily. Thankyou so much for bringing it to the surface in me.

  2. Dominic says:

    My wife and I do the exact same thing sometimes. I always think I’m right and at the end of it all she is usually the one with the best point. Arguing is something I naturally picked up on growing up. Truth be told I’ve even argued my case to God about why I deserved something or another in life. I know its foolish and looking back pretty embarrassing too. But This devotion was a good reminder for me to be humble and let God be God I am very grateful for his patience and love. Thanks again Vince, God Bless you.

  3. gonzalo says:

    I know in my human nature, I’m always defending myself it is so natural that, yes in my marriage I do it too. This morning I prayed this very thing, I’m a sinful man and He is righteous above all things, asked for His love, mercy, and grace tho not deserving on my merits but only because He is all loving to a repented heart that I can ask to clothed me with His righteousness and to help me not do, say, or be anything else than what He wants me to be for Him and His will.

    Praise you Lord, come soon, maranatha!

  4. Duane McPheeters says:

    Thanks for your sharing the truth. Gospel of John is full with God’s truth. It’s brings us to humility which is the way of the servant. Great time in the Word.

  5. Jeff Somerville says:

    This is an interesting little phrase by the Pharisee’s….”“We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” This could be a dig by them that he was a bastard child in their minds because of his mother being pregnant before she was married. They did not want to believe that he is miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit.

  6. Paul L says:

    Although I often attempt to convince myself otherwise, my approach never proves successful. In contrast, his method consistently reflects righteousness and brings honor and glory to him. It is far less draining to simply believe in and adhere to his path.

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