QT 12/01/2026 Mon. John 8 Identity & Inclinations 身份与倾向
QT 12/01/2026 Mon. John 8 Identity & Inclinations
READ http://www.esv.org/john8
When others ask you to “introduce” yourself, what do you usually say? Do you include place of origin and birth, current occupation, hobbies, likes and dislikes?
John 8 shows Jesus in deep conversation and conflict with religious leaders and the crowds. Beneath the arguments about Abraham, the Law, and freedom lies a more personal question:
Who are you really—and what is shaping the way you live? Jesus exposes that our identity (who we belong to) always shapes our inclinations (how we think, desire, and act).
(1) Claimed Identity vs. Revealed Inclinations
The people listening to Jesus confidently claim, “We are offspring of Abraham.” Their identity is rooted in ancestry and religion.
But Jesus challenges them: if Abraham were truly their spiritual father, their lives would reflect Abraham’s faith and obedience. Instead, their actions reveal something else—their hearts are resistant to truth.
Learning Point (1): What we claim to be does not define us—what we are inclined toward does. Our habits, reactions, and desires often tell the real story of who rules our hearts.
(2) Truth Reveals Our True Condition
Jesus says that truth is not just information—it is liberating power. Yet many reject it. Why?
Because truth threatens false identity.
In John 8, Jesus shows that people can be deeply religious and still be enslaved—enslaved to pride, fear, sin, or self-rule. Our natural inclination is not toward truth, but toward protecting ourselves.
Learning Point (2): We resist truth when it exposes an identity we are not ready to surrender.
(3) Slaves or Sons?
Jesus makes a sharp distinction: Slaves do not remain in the house forever. Sons belong permanently. This is not about behaviour modification—it is about belonging.
Only the Son can make us free, because only the Son can give us a new identity. When our identity shifts from self-made to Christ-given, our inclinations begin to change.
Learning Point (3): Freedom is not the absence of rules, but the presence of a new Father. Which father are you really the son of?
(4) “Before Abraham Was, I Am”
Jesus ends the chapter by declaring His divine identity. He does not merely teach truth—He is the truth. This confronts every listener (then and now): Will we let Jesus define who we are, or will we cling to identities that feel safer?
Learning Point (4): When Jesus defines your identity, He reshapes your desires.
Reflection Questions
(a) What identity do you most often lean on for security—faith, performance, reputation, family, or Christ?
(b) When confronted with truth, is your instinct to listen or to defend?
(c) What inclinations in your life might be revealing a deeper heart allegiance?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the great “I AM.” Reveal where my identity has been built on anything other than You. Free me from inclinations that pull me away from truth, and shape my heart to desire what pleases You. Help me live not as a slave to sin, but as a son or daughter who belongs in Your house. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
QT 12/01/2026 星期一. 约翰福音8 身份与倾向
阅读 READ http://www.esv.org/john8
当别人请你 “介绍” 自己时，你通常会说什么？会提及出生地、职业、爱好、喜好与厌恶吗？
约翰福音8章展现了耶稣与宗教领袖及群众深入交锋的场景。在关于亚伯拉罕、律法与自由的争论之下，隐藏着更核心的个人问题：
你真正的身份是什么？什么在塑造你的生活方式？耶稣揭示：我们的身份（归属何方）必然塑造我们的倾向（思维、欲望与行为）。
(1) “自称的身份” 对比 “显露的倾向”
听众自信宣称：“我们是亚伯拉罕的子孙。” 他们的身份根植于血统与宗教。
但耶稣质问：若亚伯拉罕真是他们的属灵父亲，他们的生命就该彰显亚伯拉罕的信心与顺服。然而他们的行为却暴露了真相——他们的心抗拒真理。
学习要点(1)：我们宣称的身份无法定义我们——真正定义我们的，是我们倾向于什么。我们的习惯、反应和欲望，往往揭示了谁真正掌管着我们的心。
(2) 真理揭示真实状态
耶稣说真理不仅是知识——更是释放的力量。为何许多人拒绝真理？
因为真理威胁着虚假的身份认同。
在《约翰福音》第八章中，耶稣揭示了人们可能虔诚至极却仍陷于奴役——被骄傲、恐惧、罪恶或自我掌控所奴役。我们天生的倾向并非追求真理，而是保护自我。
学习要点（二）：当真理揭露我们不愿放弃的身份时，我们便抗拒真理。
(3) 奴仆还是儿女？
耶稣作出明确区分：奴仆不能永远住在主人的家里，儿女却永远属于主人。这无关行为改变，而在于归属。
唯有儿子能使我们得自由，因唯有儿子能赐予我们新身份。当我们的身份从自我塑造转向基督所赐，我们的倾向便开始转变。
学习要点（3）：自由并非规则的缺失，而是新天父的临在。你究竟是哪个父亲的儿子？
(4) “亚伯拉罕出生以前，我已经存在了。”
耶稣以宣告神圣身份结束本章。祂不仅传讲真理——祂就是真理。这直指每位听众（古今皆然）：我们是否让耶稣定义自我，抑或执着于看似更安全的身份？
学习要点（4）：当耶稣定义你的身份，祂便重塑你的渴慕。
反思问题
(a) 你最常倚靠什么身份寻求安全感——信仰、成就、声誉、家庭，还是基督？
(b) 面对真理时，你的本能是倾听还是辩护？
(c) 你生命中的哪些倾向可能暴露了内心更深的归属？
祷告
主耶稣，祢是伟大的自有永有的那一位。求祢显明我生命中那些不以祢为根基的身份认同。求祢释放我脱离那些使我偏离真理的倾向，塑造我的心，使我渴慕祢所喜悦的事。求祢帮助我，不再作罪的奴仆，而是活出属于祢家中的儿女身份。奉耶稣的名求。阿们。
