“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8). Normally, destroying someone else’s work would be utterly wrong. However, not in this case. Jesus informs us of the devil’s work in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
The devil’s work is to steal, kill, and destroy. He wants to steal from you the life God uniquely created you to have. He does this by tempting you to choose to sin or go outside the parameters or the law God has set. 1 John 3:3 reminds us that “sin is lawlessness.” In tempting you and deceiving you into thinking that his way or your desires are better than God’s way, he entices you to choose sin. As a result, you are robbed of “life to the fullest” that Jesus has for you.
The devil’s work is to destroy. Sin comes from self-centeredness. Self-centeredness says, “I want to please myself. I know what is best for me.” However, ultimately, self-centeredness leads to sin that destroys relationships. It destroys one’s relationship with God, with oneself, and with others in one’s sphere of living.
Ultimately, the devil wants to kill. He wants people to get so fed up with themselves, with their world, and with their life that they would choose to end their life. Ending one’s life without Christ finalizes one’s eternal destination separated from God for eternity.
Life is not a game. The devil is real and plays for keeps. He, along with his cohorts, are prowling around seeing who they can devour. That is why Paul’s instructs, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:18).
Here is the good news. JESUS CAME AND DEFEATED THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL! The devil comes to steal. Jesus comes to restore in abundance. The devil comes to kill. Jesus comes to give us life – abundant on earth and eternal in Heaven! The devil comes to destroy. Jesus comes to rebuild by regeneration!
The devil is defeated. Oh, there will still be battles to fight and win. However, the victory belongs to Jesus and to us!