The Acid Test
Discover how to seek God’s glory and discern true faith through Jesus’ acid test for recognizing false teachings. Long ago, gold buyers used a simple tool to tell real gold from a fake. They applied a drop of acid. Cheap metal would fizz and change color, but genuine gold stayed bright. That is where we get the phrase “the acid test.” Jesus gave us an acid test too. In fact, He gave it in two parts. First, notice whose glory a person is seeking. Then look closely at the fruit his life produces. Today, let’s apply that test not only to the voices around us, but also to our own hearts.
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Opening Worship Song
CityAlight’s “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” is a beautiful place to begin. The song gives every bit of credit for our salvation, strength, and hope to Jesus. In other words, it passes the acid test because it seeks His glory, not ours.
Scripture Focus
Jesus spoke these words in Jerusalem during the Feast of Booths. The crowds were amazed at His teaching and wondered where it came from. So He told them how to know the truth:
“If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.”
— John 7:17–18 (ESV)
Earlier, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave His followers a plain warning:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”
— Matthew 7:15–16 (ESV)
Later, the apostle Paul described the fruit the Holy Spirit grows in every true believer:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
— Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)
So how do we put this test to work? Let’s look at what it means for our lives today.
Life Application: Passing the Acid Test
Whose Glory Is Being Sought?
Jesus’ test in John 7 is simple. A person who speaks on his own authority is chasing his own glory. However, the one who seeks the glory of the Father is true.
Jesus Himself is the perfect example. He never promoted Himself. Instead, He always pointed people to the One who sent Him.
That gives us a helpful question for every sermon, book, podcast, or ministry. Who gets the credit? Does the message lift up Jesus, or does it lift up the messenger?
Sadly, some teachers draw crowds to themselves. They build platforms instead of disciples. On the other hand, a faithful servant is happy to fade into the background so Christ can be seen.
Notice something else in verse 17. Jesus says the person who truly wants to do God’s will “will know” whether the teaching is from God. In other words, discernment grows out of surrender. When our hearts are willing to obey, God gives us clear eyes.
Looking for Real Fruit
Often we question the sincerity of a person who claims to represent Christ. Rightly so! After all, Jesus warned us about wolves dressed like sheep.
From the outside, those wolves look gentle and harmless. Nevertheless, their lives eventually tell the truth. You simply cannot hide what grows on a tree for very long.
So what does good fruit look like? Here is a practical list:
- Forgive.
- Tell the truth.
- Love others.
- Train your children.
- Honor your parents.
- Give generously.
- Gather with God’s people.
- Love your enemies.
- Kill your pride.
- Serve others.
- Pray.
- Make disciples.
None of these fruits are flashy. Rather, they are the everyday marks of a life that belongs to Jesus. A true servant of Christ forgives, prays, and serves. Likewise, he loves his family, his church, and even his enemies.
Choosing to Seek God’s Glory Today
Here is where the acid test becomes personal. It is wise to test those who speak for Christ. Still, the very same test applies to you and me.
Try reading that list slowly. Which fruit is growing well in your life? Which one needs some attention? Perhaps forgiveness has been hard lately. Or maybe pride has been quietly taking credit for what God has done.
Please don’t be discouraged. Remember, we do not produce this fruit by willpower alone. Paul calls it the fruit of the Spirit for a reason. As we stay close to Jesus, He grows it in us.
That is why today’s opening song rings so true. Our strength, our goodness, and our hope all come through Christ in us.
So today, ask the Lord for one simple thing. Ask Him to help you seek God’s glory in every conversation, task, and decision. When He gets the credit, we receive the joy. Best of all, the people around us get to see Jesus.
A Word from C. S. Lewis
C. S. Lewis understood how easily pride blinds us to God. In Mere Christianity, he wrote:
“A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”
— C. S. Lewis
Pride keeps our eyes fixed on ourselves. Humility, however, lifts them up to Jesus.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus, who always sought Your glory and never His own. Please give me a heart that truly wants to do Your will. Open my eyes to recognize what is true and to see through anything false.
Lord, examine my own life too. Where pride has crept in, pull it out by the roots. Grow in me the fruit of forgiveness, honesty, generosity, and love, even for my enemies. Help me to pray faithfully, serve gladly, and make disciples who follow You.
Above all, may my words and actions point others to Christ and not to me. Thank You that Your Spirit is at work in me today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing Worship Song
Matt Redman’s “The Heart of Worship” is a perfect way to close. He wrote it during a season when his church set the music aside for a while to rediscover what worship really means. The song is a humble confession that worship was never meant to be about us. Instead, it is all about Jesus.
Keep Growing in Christ
Friend, you now have the test. As you step into this day, choose to seek God’s glory and not your own. Let your life bear the kind of fruit that points others straight to Jesus.
If today’s devotion encouraged you, we would love to walk alongside you every morning.
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Sources & Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
We thank:
- Pixabay for free, high-quality artwork.
- AZ Quotes for inspirational quotations.
- YouTube Gospel Music for timeless worship songs.
- We recommend GotQuestions.org for further Bible study.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Have a wonderful day and keep your eyes on Jesus and your spirits high.
Johnny
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” — Proverbs 23:7
SEO & WordPress Metadata
Suggested Category: Discipleship
Suggested Tags: John 7:17-18, Matthew 7:15-16, false prophets, fruit of the Spirit, glory of God, discernment, humility, pride, spiritual fruit, Christian living, CityAlight, Matt Redman
Focus Key Phrase: seek God’s glory
Related Key Phrases: false prophets, fruit of faith
Synonyms: glorify God, honor God, God’s glory, spiritual fruit, fruit of the Spirit, biblical discernment, sheep’s clothing, true teaching
SEO Title: Seek God’s Glory: Jesus’ Acid Test for Genuine Faith
Meta Description: When you seek God’s glory instead of your own, the truth becomes clear. Learn Jesus’ acid test for spotting false teachers and living real faith.
Slug: seek-gods-glory-acid-test
Breadcrumb Title: The Acid Test
Featured Image Alt Text: Fruit-laden tree in morning sunlight, a reminder that we seek God’s glory and are known by our fruit
Pixabay Search Suggestions:
Primary: Fruit tree in morning sunlight
Alternate 1: Gold nugget in sunlight
Alternate 2: Sheep grazing in green pasture
Main Body Word Count: Approximately 470 words (Life Application)