“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 7:18)

There is all the difference in the world between one who speaks on the authority of another who has sent them and the one who speaks on his own authority.

On the surface you have two speakers. Two people are putting out words. To the undiscerning they appear the same. But they are different. The difference is found in the authority base for their words.

One speaks because he thinks he has a great idea, maybe a great idea, perhaps even the great answer or idea that will solve a problem. The other speaks because God has sent him with a message.

One “seeks his own glory.” The other seeks “the glory of him who sent him.”

The only one we may have confidence “is true” and without “falsehood” is the latter. He has no stake in the game personally, for these are not his own ideas but God’s. He is not seeking to prove himself correct or right. He is not seeking personal acceptance. He is making a declaration on the authority of another. The acceptance or non-acceptance of the message does not change its truthfulness. But the acceptance or non-acceptance of the message does bear consequences. They are not established by the speaker and cannot be changed by him.

Herein lies the fundamental difference between speech-making and preaching.

A man sent from God with the Bible and its gospel as his message is not a speechmaker. He is a herald.

Listen if you will. Like it or not. Rebuff it all. Embrace everything he says.

In the end he is neither your problem nor your Savior. The One who sent him and gave him these words is. The words He has sent through His messenger bear His authority and each one’s response brings necessary consequences, for good or ill.