To understand the key verse in this devotion, it is important that you read the complete passage to get the context of the scripture. The key verse is John 7:17 which says... "If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself." Now, take a moment and read John 7:14-18 so this devotion will be clear.
There are those who stand in pulpits today and teach from their own motivation and, whether educated or uneducated, they are not doing the will of the Father (that is not to say that there is no Godly teaching taking place, for sure). Jesus was saying that the person who speaks from his own understanding is seeking his own glory (Jn 7:18); sort of like I said before, receiving his reward now instead of in heaven (the glory and amazement of mankind).
In this passage, the Jews marveled at the teaching of Jesus having never been educated. But Jesus said to them that a man will be discovered by his teaching whether speaking from himself or from the Spirit of God (thus the amazement of the Jews at Jesus' teaching).
Jesus let's them know right up front that His teaching is "not His own" (vs.16) but coming from the Father in Heaven. If your heart has a desire to teach from the Word of God, that is an admirable ambition but, by all means, make sure your motivation comes from God or you are simply another charlatan, teaching your own will in God's name. A very dangerous position to be in.
Given the implications within this devotion I believe it is important to quote verse 18... "He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the one who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him" (by the way, in this verse, as you can see from the capital "H's" that His reference is to Himself). A very convincing argument for "bathing" yourself in God's Word.
Dave
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