“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10
In this verse from John 10, Jesus draws a clear contrast between himself and Satan. It may seem obvious, but it’s an important distinction that we as Christians must not only understand, but truly believe.
One of the hardest parts about giving your life to Christ, at least at first, is coming to terms with the fact that many parts of our life are sinful and giving up the sinful things that we had once been in the habit of doing. Whether that is a habit of pornography, alcoholism, drug abuse, pride, gluttony, materialism, adultery, or any other sin, it is hard to change. Thankfully we serve a God that is patient and always quick to forgive. Nonetheless, it is our calling to work hard all our lives to rid ourselves of sin. It is a long, arduous, and constant battle.
Sometimes, we may lose sight of why we’re fighting so hard against the things that our flesh, our selfish and sinful nature, craves. What harm is it after all if I do this? I’m not hurting anyone.
Jesus tells us the answer in this verse. The harm is that our sin is a thief. It’s a disguise to let Satan into your life. He isn’t there to give you good things, he’s there to steal and kill and destroy. It’s no petty theft. He’s after your heart and soul. It’s no small crime he intends to commit, it’s murder. He wants to end any chance you have at the full life that God intended for you. His way in is our sin. He uses the sin that we allow in our lives to tear us apart from the inside.
Jesus, however, is the opposite. He came to give us life. Not only does he want us to live, he wants us to have the fullness of life as God intended it and created it to be. He wants us to experience all of the joy and fulfillment that we so deeply desire. And he knows how to give it to you. It’s the opposite of Satan. Instead of finding pleasure and temporary satisfaction through sin, we find lasting joy and eternal fulfillment in the way of God. Through Christ and the Holy Spirit that he gives us, we are able to see that God’s way, not sin, is the true road to joy and fulfillment. God’s path, not Satan’s, leads us where we want to go in the long run.
Understanding and believing this truth is the difference between life and death. Which will you choose?
Prayer:
Father,
I thank you for Jesus. I thank you that he came to this earth to live and die on my behalf so that I may have the fullness of life that you intended for me. Help me not to fall into the trap of Satan, and protect me from his attempts to steal, kill, and destroy my life.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
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