Truth, Trust & Triumph
In an age when the internet overflows with influencers, motivational speakers, and self-proclaimed experts, people are constantly told who to follow and what to believe. The question of authority is everywhere. Whose words can we trust? Whose voice deserves our attention? In John 7:16–19, Jesus addresses this very issue. He confronts His listeners with a challenge that remains strikingly relevant today. His teaching forces us to ask whether we will recognize the difference between divine revelation and human ambition.
Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. 17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?”
John 7:16-19
Christ’s Credible Claim
Jesus begins with a bold statement, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.” Unlike the philosophers of His day, or the personalities who dominate today’s media, Jesus is not selling a personal brand. He does not claim to have discovered wisdom through study, travel, or debate. Instead, He declares that His message originates with God Himself. His words are not the result of clever human reasoning. They are a direct communication from the Father to the world.
This distinction matters because it sets Jesus apart from every other teacher. Many ancient scribes and thinkers earned reputations by developing new ideas or crafting elegant arguments. Modern influencers often follow the same pattern, chasing followers and fame. Jesus, by contrast, is not interested in applause or popularity. He is not trying to win an audience. His teaching is not a human invention. It is the very truth of God, given for the good of those who hear it. To receive His words is to receive God’s words.
“True understanding, according to Jesus, does not begin with debate or argument. It begins with obedience. ”
True Understanding
Jesus does not stop with a simple claim of divine origin. He provides a way for people to test what He says. “Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” True understanding, according to Jesus, does not begin with debate or argument. It begins with obedience. Those who set their hearts on doing God’s will are the ones who will discover whether Jesus speaks with divine authority.
This is a striking principle. Many people approach spiritual questions as if they can be solved only by intellect. They want proof before commitment. Jesus reverses the order. He says that insight follows action. To know the truth, one must first be willing to walk in it. The person who sincerely desires to follow God will recognize God’s voice in Christ. The one who demands evidence while remaining unwilling to obey will never see clearly. Spiritual understanding is not simply a matter of the mind. It is a matter of the heart.
Which voices shape your heart’s direction?
Among the teachers, influencers, and friends you listen to, how many are drawing you closer to God’s glory instead of their own reputation or your personal comfort?
The Glory Gauge
Jesus continues by revealing another measure of authentic teaching. “Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.” The pursuit of glory becomes a test of integrity. A teacher who is motivated by the desire for personal recognition is likely to twist the message to maintain status. But the one whose goal is to honor God can be trusted.
This standard remains relevant. In every generation there are leaders who crave applause. They may use religious language or present moral ideas, yet their true aim is to elevate themselves. Jesus’ life shows the opposite. He consistently pointed people to the Father. He sought the glory of God rather than His own. His miracles, teachings, and even His willingness to suffer demonstrated a single purpose: to reveal and honor the One who sent Him. Truth is safe in the hands of those who seek God’s glory above their own.
Law Learned but Life Lost
After describing the marks of genuine teaching, Jesus confronts the hypocrisy of His audience. “Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?” These words are a sharp rebuke to the religious leaders of His day. They knew the Scriptures thoroughly. They were guardians of the law of Moses. Yet their hearts were far from obedience. They honored the law in words but violated it in deeds, even plotting murder while claiming to defend God’s commands.
This warning speaks across the centuries. Knowledge of Scripture is valuable, but it is not enough. One can recite verses and debate theology yet fail to live in submission to God. Authentic faith requires more than intellectual agreement. It requires transformation. Jesus exposes the emptiness of a religion that prizes appearance over reality. To know the law without practicing it is to miss the very purpose of God’s revelation.
Voices, Values & Verification
These words from John 7 continue to challenge modern readers. Our world is full of voices competing for our loyalty. Podcasters, authors, spiritual gurus, and social media personalities all claim to offer guidance. Some speak out of genuine conviction. Others are driven by personal ambition. How can we tell the difference? Jesus provides the framework. First, we examine the source. Does the message point to God or to human wisdom? Second, we consider obedience. Are we willing to follow God’s will so that we can recognize His truth? Finally, we look at the motive. Does the speaker seek personal glory or the glory of God?
The question is not only about those we listen to. It is also about our own hearts. Are we prepared to test Jesus’ words not merely by analyzing them but by living them? Are we ready to obey so that we may understand? Jesus’ invitation is clear. He does not call for blind faith. He calls for willing hearts. The surest way to know that His teaching is divine is to put it into practice and watch the truth prove itself.
In a world saturated with opinions and arguments, the message of John 7:16–19 stands firm. Jesus offers not human speculation but divine doctrine. He challenges every listener to move beyond curiosity to commitment, beyond theory to action. The real issue is not only whether His teaching is true but whether we will obey and discover that truth for ourselves.
