Devotion for Thursday, July 9, 2026

“Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any.  For many were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimony was not consistent” (Mark 14:55-56).

The wicked will seek to do whatever they can to promote their cause.  Yet even they need to provide a trail of legitimacy.  Evil must use good and pervert it in order to move to judgment.  Good can be good for its own sake, but it never uses evil.  There are those who will lie for the sake of wickedness.  Be wary of what you hear.  The Lord always speaks truth.  Learn from Him.

Lord, even with the exaggerations I learned to use as a child, I too have the problem of false testimonies which come off of my tongue.  Lead me to understand where I am not being absolutely truthful.  Guide me so that I may neither give false testimony, nor listen to that which is false, and learn to discern the truth when it is spoken.  Teach me the way of purity so that I know what is false because I know what is true.

Lord Jesus, You walked in the way of righteousness.  Teach me Your way.  Help me to see the consistency of what is true so that I may clearly understand when testimonies are not consistent.  Your word is truth and it is consistent.  Lead me to understand that through You alone can I move in the way of righteousness.  Guide me in the way of life that is pleasing to the Father.  Aid me to be like You.  Amen.