The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. —John 10:10
Funny how often we dabble with things that can do nothing but steal, kill, and destroy. I love how Jesus puts it here: it’s the only thing the devil comes to do! It is the end result of all his tactics and temptations. It is the only possible outcome of following his allurements, since they can accomplish only what he intended them to accomplish. So why is it we so often act as though it won’t happen to us, like we are exceptions? Why do we involve ourselves with things that can only steal, kill, and destroy but then are shocked when our relationships are stolen, our hopes killed, and our witnesses destroyed?
Jesus says Satan has come to do nothing but steal, kill, and destroy, but He came that we might have life more abundantly. The word abundantly means “super abundantly” or “superior in quality.” So Satan offers the exact opposite of what Jesus offers, because he can do nothing else. Insanity has been defined by some as doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different outcome. Yet many Christians do exactly that. They continue doing all those things that steal, kill, and destroy life and testimony yet expect a different result each time they do them.
I know I beat this drum a lot, but I must say again that Christians are to avoid sin. That, my friend, is not legalism—it’s wisdom. It is insane to play with fire yet expect not to get burned. It is insane to dabble with pornography but not expect sexual perversion to result. It is insane to engage in flirtatious conversations without expecting to be found out or, even worse, destroying your marriage. Dabbling with sin is insane living; a holy and pure life is safe.
Satan does not come except to steal, kill, and destroy. That is the end result of every one of his tactics and temptations, and not a one is the exception. The life that is pure and obedient to the commands of God is a life abundant with blessing. Friend, there are only two teams in the game of life: one comes only to steal, kill, and destroy, and the other offers life and that more abundantly. Living according to one but expecting the outcome of the other is insane. There is no other possible outcome. Sin is our enemy, and the abundant life is never found by following it. Sin only steals, kills, and destroys lives, sometimes even from those forgiven and going to heaven. Treat sin for what it is—of the devil!
Excerpt from “Body Builders” now available on Amazon.
