Listen to today’s devo!

Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem?” (John 7:41 –42)

Expanded Passage: John 7:41-44

Have you ever been deceived? The devil likes to confuse people just like he did Eve at the beginning of time. First, he questioned God’s authority. Then, he slipped in an untruth that seemed so real, it must be true. She fell for the deception, looked at the forbidden tree, desired the fruit, then took a bite. Next, she convinced Adam that he should take a bite. That deception changed the world forever. Did she fact-check what the devil was saying? No. She went with her feelings.

Do you believe all the news on the internet? Are you duped into purchasing something because it will make your life “like new”? People can take untruths or partial truths to heart and believe they are real. Some people in Jerusalem believed such an untruth. Because they thought Jesus was from Nazareth, they could not believe he was truly the Messiah. They did not stop to check that he was born in Bethlehem. Therefore, they did not believe he was their Savior.

Centuries prior to Jesus, Isaiah was so perceptive in his writings. In chapter 44:18 –19, he concluded: “They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand. No one stops to think.”

Let’s read and listen to God’s Word. Then we will know the truth.

Fact-check what you hear against God’s truth.

Jeannette Carroll is a retired Wesleyan pastor’s wife, a God-called teacher, writer, and musician. She resides in Florida.

© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.