THE WORDS OF TRUTH DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Feb 8th, 2026
𝕋𝕀𝕋𝕃𝔼:
HE WHO IS NOT OF GOD DOES NOT HEAR US!
KEY VERSE
We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. - 1 John 4:6
DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE
In 1 John 4:6, Apostle John draws a sharp line between those who belong to God and those who do not. He declares:
“We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
This scripture shows that spiritual hearing is not physical, it is a function of identity, alignment, and obedience.
Those who belong to God recognize His voice, respond to His instructions, and honour His truth. But those not aligned with God’s Spirit resist, reject, or ignore His message. This is why two people can hear the same sermon:
• One is transformed,
• The other remains unchanged.
This verse reminds believers that the world will not always accept our message, but acceptance is not our assignment, faithfulness is.
It also warns us personally: if we ever find ourselves struggling to obey, arguing endlessly with scripture, or resisting God’s will, it may be a sign that our hearts need realignment.
The test of being “of God” is not loud religion, but a heart that hears Him, loves His truth, and responds to His Word.
BIBLICAL OBJECTIVES
To understand the difference between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
To cultivate a heart that responds willingly to God’s voice.
To increase discernment in a world filled with conflicting voices.
To learn how spiritual identity shapes spiritual hearing.
To grow in obedience and submission to God's instructions.
To discern true teachers and true doctrine through scripture.
To develop sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
To separate ourselves from influences that oppose God’s truth.
To strengthen our walk in righteousness and holiness.
To boldly uphold God’s Word even when the world rejects it.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE WHO ARE “OF GOD”
They hear God’s voice – John 10:27
They obey His commandments – John 14:21
They love righteousness and truth – Psalm 119:97
They walk in the Spirit – Galatians 5:16
They bear godly fruit – John 15:5
They reject false doctrine – Matthew 7:15–16
They love the brethren – 1 John 4:7
They persevere in trials – James 1:12
They submit to divine correction – Hebrews 12:6
They uphold the authority of Scripture – 2 Timothy 3:16
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. The Shepherd’s Call
A shepherd entered a crowded marketplace where several flocks were gathered.
People wondered how each shepherd would separate their sheep.
When he called out, only his sheep responded and followed, ignoring all other voices.
Lesson:
Identity determines response.
If you truly belong to God, His voice compels you.
If God’s truth does not move a person, it is a sign that the heart is not aligned with Him.
2. Two Students, One Teacher
A teacher explained a mathematics principle.
One student understood immediately and applied it.
The other refused to listen, arguing that he had a better method.
Even after proving his method wrong, he still insisted on his own way.
Lesson:
Truth is not received by stubborn hearts.
The spirit of error blinds, but a humble heart receives, understands, and obeys.
A CALL TO REPENTANCE
Wherever your heart has resisted God’s instructions…
Wherever you have argued against His Word…
Wherever pride, stubbornness, or distraction has made you deaf to His voice…
Return today.
Let the Holy Spirit soften your heart.
DEEP REPENTANCE
Cry out for the Lord to remove every spiritual deafness:
• pride
• self-will
• rebellion
• worldliness
• wrong associations
Ask God to strip away anything that stops you from hearing and obeying Him.
PRAYER OF REPENTANCE
Father,
I come before You in humility.
Cleanse my heart from every resistance to Your Word.
Remove the spirit of error and fill me with the spirit of truth.
Break every hardness of heart and give me a new, obedient spirit.
Help me hear, love, and follow Your voice always.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
REFLECTION Scriptures
John 10:27 – God’s sheep hear and follow Him; obedience is proof of identity.
Isaiah 30:21 – God guides those who listen; He speaks direction clearly.
Hebrews 3:15 – Do not harden your heart when God speaks.
James 1:22 – Hearing without doing equals deception.
Psalm 95:7–8 – Listening is tied to worship and surrender.
1 Corinthians 2:14 – The natural man cannot receive spiritual truths.
Proverbs 1:23 – God pours out His Spirit upon the responsive heart.
Revelation 3:20 – Christ knocks, but only the willing open.
2 Timothy 4:3–4 – People will turn from truth to pleasing lies.
John 8:47 – Those who belong to God hear God’s words.
HYMN
Trust and Obey
John H. Sammis (1887)
1. When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey,
for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus,
but to trust and obey.
2. Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey.
3. But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.
4. Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we'll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey.
TODAY’S CHALLENGE
Ask yourself throughout today:
“What is God saying to me, and am I obeying immediately?”
Write down any instructions you sense in your heart, and act on them.
DEEP REFLECTION
Do I love God’s voice more than my own desires?
Do I choose truth even when it requires sacrifice?
Can God interrupt my plans and I still say “Yes, Lord”?
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
God still speaks, through His Word, His Spirit, and His servants.
If you have struggled to hear Him, don’t be discouraged.
A surrendered heart hears clearly.
ETERNITY IN VIEW
Only those who hear God now will follow Him in eternity.
Spiritual hearing today prepares you for eternal communion with Christ.
CLOSING DECLARATION
I am of God.
I hear His voice.
I reject the spirit of error.
I walk in the truth.
His Word rules my life.
My heart is sensitive to His leading.
I will obey God, always.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
Lord, open my spiritual ears to hear You clearly, in the name of Jesus.
O Lord, remove every hardness of heart in me, in the name of Jesus.
Holy Spirit, silence every strange voice speaking into my life, in the name of Jesus.
Power of obedience, overshadow my life, in the name of Jesus.
Spirit of truth, fill me afresh today, in the name of Jesus.
Every spirit of error assigned against my destiny, be destroyed, in the name of Jesus.
Lord, sharpen my discernment to know Your will, in the name of Jesus.
Father, give me a humble and teachable heart, in the name of Jesus.
O God, align my desires with Your Word, in the name of Jesus.
Let my life continually express Your truth and righteousness, in the name of Jesus.
PROPHETIC DECLARATION
I prophesy:
Your ears shall open to God’s voice.
Confusion is broken.
The spirit of error is defeated.
The light of truth will guide your steps.
You will walk in divine insight, clarity, and obedience.
Your life will reflect God’s nature.
So shall it be, in Jesus’ mighty Name.
WORDS OF TRUTH
Those who belong to God hear Him, follow Him, and walk in His truth.
May your life forever testify that you are of God.