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Jesus Came to Destroy the Works of the Devil

 1 John 3:8b – “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

John the beloved Apostle writes in his first letter to the New Testament church that the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil.  What are the works of the devil?  What is it that the Lord Jesus Christ came to destroy?


We must examine the Scriptures to understand the works of the devil. II Corinthians 2:11 says, “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” In our studies, we learn how our enemy operates on earth, and in the lives of individuals.


He opposes God’s purposes on Earth and devises schemes to prevent God’s people from entering into those purposes. In John10:10 we learn he is the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Revelation 12:10 reveals him as “the accuser of the brethren.”  I Peter 5:8 says, “your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”


The devil brings people into bondage.  He enslaves and destroys. In Luke 4:18, Jesus stands to read in the Synagogue of Nazareth and announces His mission. “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”


When Mary gave birth on the very first Christmas night, she gave birth to the One who would destroy the works of the devil.  The Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 2:15, “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”


The good news of Christmas is Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil in our lives.  The latter part of John 10:10 reads, “But I (Jesus) came that you might have life and have it more abundantly.”  We need to allow the One who came on the first night of Christmas to bring us into the abundant life He alone can give.


Prayer


Dear Father,

You sent Your Son, Jesus to set the captives free.  Free us from all bondage. Liberate us from anything that hinders our walk with You. We desire to enter into the abundant life You promised. Thank you that we have victory over the enemy. We rejoice because You have destroyed the works of the devil in our lives. Amen.


Scripture for Further Study


John 6:38, Hebrews 10:7, Hebrews 2:14, John 1:14

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