John 7:17,18 - The one who speaks on his own authority

7:17

Now Jesus knows He has made a bold claim. So how is one to test whether it is valid or not? How is one to know if Jesus is teaching the word of God? Or if anyone else is teaching the word of God, for that matter? Jesus does not give a “theological” test in an academic sense, but more of a moral test. The key is whether we are dedicated to doing the will of God, then we will know when someone is speaking from God, and when they are speaking out of their own ideas. You do not need a theological degree to be able to discern truth from falsehood, but a heart dedicated to the Lord.

7:18

Someone who speaks on their own authority is seeking their own glory. So here we have someone who is speaking out of their own ideas. Now there is a big difference between someone who accepts the word of God, seeks to understand it and explain it, and someone whose primary authority is themself! The former is fine, the latter is not. The person who speaks out of his own authority wants glory for himself. He wants praise and admiration, and wants people to accept his ideas. The person dedicated to the Lord wants people to know and understand the Lord and to follow Him, he wants people to give glory to God.