The tale of Two Kingdoms (John 10:10)
- Jesus starts by saying that the thief comes only to….
- It’s actually the word from where we would get our English word Kleptomaniac.
- Definition of: Kleptomania: Impulse control disorder that involves the repeated impulse to steal for no great gain, when the perpetrator has sufficient money to pay for the item and no need for what is stolen.
- Now of course Jesus is referring to the devil or satan here.
- The devil has no need for the things he takes. He takes them because he hates you and the image of God you bear.
- The first activity that Jesus mentions of the devil is stealing. Jesus uses that same word.
- In the original language there is a play on words here with a homonym. “Thief that steals”
- Now when we think about this concept of stealing here, we have to think about more than just physical stuff.
- The devil does not have a physical body so he does not come to steal only physical things.
- He comes to steal your joy, your happiness, your wellbeing, your peace, etc.
- Now the next activity that Jesus mentions is to kill.
- The meaning of this Greek word is: “to kill, to butcher; to offer sacrifice.”
- Again, we can’t think of this in terms of killing the physical only. Kill peace, kill joy.
- Then the next activity of the devil that Jesus mentions is to destroy
- The Greek word means: to destroy, to kill, cause to lose life; to die or perish. to destroy utterly; to bring to naught, make void, to lose, be deprived of; to perish. Violence and strife are often the associative with this word.
- Jesus includes this word to cover all the bases, in case anything wasn’t already covered by stealing and killing.
- Then Jesus has a huge transition in His statement. I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.
- There is a lot of contrast in this verse. Two kingdoms at work.
- There is also contrast between the stealing, killing, and destroying here and the safety of the pasture and gate mentioned in the previous verse in John 10:7 where Jesus says I am the gate.
- He came to give life, in the Greek it’s the word Zoe which is the basic word for life.
- And Jesus didn’t come to be stingy with life. He came to give it abundantly.
- The Greek word means: exceeding, going beyond; full, abundant; more than; excessive, in full abundance.
- Pass two: Now that we understand some of the terms etc., lets take a look at how we walk this out.
- Use the first part of this verse as a thermometer.
- Is there too much stealing killing and destroying going on in your life?
- So how do we stop it and stop the influence of the devil in our lives and walk into the promise of abundance.
First, repent. Unrepented sin is always an entry point for the work of the devil.
- If you are not sure what to repent of, ask the Lord, he will show you. He is good like that.
- If you are still not sure, start with pride and idolatry.
Second, this is all about Jesus. We can’t get free without Jesus.
- Consider the words of John 10:8-9.
- There is only one way into the safety and wellbeing and it is through Jesus Christ.
- Maybe part of your repenting also needs to be getting right with Jesus.
Third, Give thanksgiving and Praise
- The devil can’t exist in the same space as Thanksgiving and Praise.
- Doing this will force the devil to flee from you.
- Palm 100:4 tells me I can do that through thanksgiving and praise.
- Entering His gates or courts speaks of entering his presence and His protection.
- If we are in His gates and courts, the enemy cannot be messing with us
Fourth, take authority over it.
- Jesus has total and complete authority over the devil. Matt 28:18. And he shared that authority with us.
- Take authority over the stealing, killing, and destroying and tell it to stop.
Fifth: Seize kingdom opportunities
- Always be looking for where God is working and Join Him.
Sixth: Be careful with what you agree with.
- In moments of trauma and frustration we can give subtle agreements to the lies of the devil.
- And even that subtle quite agreement in our heart, gives the devil permission to steal and kill.
- Repent of those agreements.