John 8:44 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads:
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
In this passage, Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees who are questioning Him about His identity and authority. He makes a stark contrast between Himself, who is the truth and the light, and the devil, who is the embodiment of falsehood and darkness.
Jesus is saying that the Pharisees, as children of the devil (i.e., those who do not follow God), are naturally inclined to do what their father does, which is to engage in murder (spiritual or physical) and to speak lies. He emphasizes that there is no truth in the devil, and when he speaks, it is always a lie.
This passage highlights the fundamental nature of the conflict between good and evil, light and darkness, and truth and falsehood. It also underscores the importance of recognizing Jesus as the only way to the Father (John 14:6) and rejecting the devil's influence in our lives.
The phrase "Father of lies" is a quote from the Bible, specifically John 8:44, where Jesus says:
"You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in truth, for there is no truth in him. When he speaks, he speaks his own words; but because he has nothing from God, he is a liar and the Father of Lies."
In this context, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees, who are criticizing Him for His claims to be the Messiah. Jesus accuses them of being children of their father, Satan (also referred to as the devil), implying that they are influenced by his evil nature and lies.
The phrase "Father of Lies" is often used metaphorically to describe someone or something that is deceptive, misleading, or dishonest. It can also be used to describe a person who consistently tells falsehoods or engages in deceitful behavior.
In modern times, the term has been used in various contexts, such as:
1. Politics: To describe politicians who are seen as deceptive or dishonest.
2. Business: To describe companies or individuals that engage in unethical or misleading practices.
3. Ethics: To describe situations where people prioritize self-interest over truth and honesty.
However, it's essential to note that Jesus' original intention was not to create a label for Satan or his followers but rather to emphasize the Pharisees' rejection of God's truth and their alignment with the devil's nature.
I see you're referencing John 8:44, which says:
"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." (NIV)
This verse is part of Jesus' conversation with the Pharisees, who are accusing Him of being a sinner. In response, Jesus tells them that they are actually serving their "father" - the devil - and that they are consumed by his influence.
In this context, the phrase "the father of lies" (or "a liar and the father of lies") is a metaphorical expression describing the devil's nature. It implies that he is fundamentally dishonest and deceptive, always seeking to mislead and manipulate others.
The NIV translation uses the word "lies" here, which is a common rendering in many English Bible versions. Other translations may use phrases like "father of falsehood" (ESV), "the father of all lies" (KJV), or simply "a liar and a father of lies" (NASB).
It's worth noting that this verse is not saying that the devil is the source of all deceit or dishonesty in the world. Rather, it's highlighting his unique role as a master deceiver who seeks to lead people away from God and into darkness.
You're referring to the phrase "You are the seed of Abraham" from Genesis 12:3, which says:
"And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; for thou hast obeyed my voice."
In this context, God is speaking to Abraham, promising him that his descendants will be a blessing to all the families of the earth. The phrase "in thy seed" refers to the idea that the blessings and promises made to Abraham would come through his physical descendants.
However, if we apply this phrase to Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the "Seed" or "offspring" of Abraham (see Galatians 3:16), it takes on a deeper meaning. In this sense, Jesus is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, and all nations are blessed through Him.
So, while the original phrase refers to physical descent, in a Christian context, "You are the seed of your father" can be understood as a reference to one's spiritual heritage or lineage. It's a way of saying that our identity is rooted in our faith and relationship with God, just like Jesus' identity was rooted in His faith and obedience to the Father.
In this sense, the phrase becomes an encouragement to trust in God's promises and plan, just as Abraham did, and to recognize that our true heritage is not limited by our physical family or circumstances, but is tied to our spiritual lineage through Christ.
John 8:44 in the New King James Version (NKJV) reads:
"You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks, he speaks falsehoods; because he is a liar, he does not come to the truth."
This verse is a well-known passage where Jesus refers to the Pharisees as being children of their father, the devil. The phrase "you are of your father" means that they share a common nature and character with Satan.
In this context, Jesus is accusing the Pharisees of being hypocrites who claim to follow God but actually follow their own selfish desires. He's saying that they are motivated by a desire to do evil, just like their father, the devil.
This passage is often seen as a critique of religious hypocrisy and the dangers of following human tradition rather than God's word. It's also a reminder that our actions and motivations can be a reflection of our true allegiance - whether it's to God or to something (or someone) else.
John 8:44 is a well-known and often-debated verse in the Bible. Here's what it says:
"Jesus said, 'You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his 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 this verse, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees, who are questioning Him about His teachings. Jesus accuses them of being children of their "father," which He identifies as Satan, the devil.
Here are some possible interpretations of this verse:
1. **The Pharisees are influenced by Satan**: Some see this verse as a warning that the Pharisees' actions and beliefs were inspired by Satan, rather than being guided by God's truth.
2. **The Pharisees are rejecting Jesus' teachings**: Another view is that Jesus is saying that the Pharisees are refusing to accept His teachings because they are motivated by their own selfish desires, which come from Satan (the "father of lies").
3. **The Pharisees are representative of all who reject God**: Some interpret this verse more broadly, seeing it as a warning about the danger of rejecting God's truth and following Satan instead.
It's worth noting that this verse is often seen in the context of Jesus' teachings about spiritual blindness (John 9:39-41) and His warnings about the dangers of loving money and status above loving God (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13).
What are your thoughts on John 8:44? Do you have any specific questions or concerns about this verse?
Romans 8:44 says:
"Whose minds the thoughts of an unrighteousness; to suppress all righteous judgment."
This verse is saying that those who do not have a right relationship with God, and are therefore outside of His salvation, operate on a different level of thinking. Their minds are shaped by the ways of the world, and as a result, they think in terms of self-centered, self-serving, and ultimately unrighteous thoughts.
The phrase "to suppress all righteous judgment" suggests that these individuals actively work to silence or ignore any sense of moral responsibility or accountability. They may rationalize their actions, blame others, or try to justify their wrongs, rather than acknowledging the truth and taking responsibility for their choices.
This verse is highlighting the fundamental difference between those who are in Christ and those who are not. As believers, we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), which means that we are empowered by His Spirit to think God's thoughts, including righteous judgments and moral discernment. However, those outside of faith operate from a different framework, one that is characterized by self-centeredness, rebellion, and ultimately, unrighteousness.
This passage serves as a reminder of the importance of living according to God's standards, rather than conforming to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2). As believers, we are called to think God's thoughts and live out His character, which means standing in stark contrast to those who reject Him.
A very interesting and provocative statement!
In John 8:44, Jesus says to the Pharisees:
"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 this passage, Jesus is making a bold claim about the nature of the Pharisees and their spiritual ancestry. He accuses them of being children of Satan, implying that they are under the influence of evil and are doing the devil's bidding.
This phrase has been interpreted in various ways throughout history. Some have seen it as a literal statement about the origin of evil, while others have viewed it as a metaphorical description of the Pharisees' sinful nature.
Here are some possible meanings:
1. **Spiritual ancestry**: Jesus may be suggesting that the Pharisees have inherited their spiritual nature from Satan, implying that they are inherently opposed to God and His ways.
2. **Influence of evil**: The phrase could also mean that the Pharisees are under the influence of Satan's evil spirit, which is motivating them to resist Jesus' message and carry out actions that contradict God's will.
3. **Contrast with God's truth**: By calling the Pharisees "of your father, the devil," Jesus may be highlighting the stark contrast between their false teachings (which are rooted in lies) and His own teaching, which is grounded in truth.
It's essential to note that this passage is not a blanket statement about all people who have opposed Jesus or Christianity. Rather, it's a specific critique of the Pharisees' actions and attitudes, which Jesus believed were motivated by a desire to resist God's will and maintain their own power and influence.
In modern Christian theology, the phrase "You are of your father the devil" is often seen as a reminder that we all have the capacity for evil, but also have the ability to choose good through faith in Jesus Christ.