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.
Make no bones about it; Satan is our vicious adversary whose mode of operandi is to seek and to destroy. If he cannot keep us from being saved, he strives to keep us from being used. Satan is ever seeking opportunities for his savage attacks therefore we are to not be fearful rather on our guard. While Satan is most definitely out of our league in power, he is certainly not out of God’s – Hallelujah for that!
“Only two things have ever changed the human soul: the fall and grace, the power of Satan and the power of God. And God is infinitely more powerful. Nothing is stronger than grace. Satan doesn’t have any. God is defined by it.” Larry Crabb
Peter tells us quite plainly:
8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)
“The Christian life is not a playground; it is a battleground.” Warren Wiersbe
“Sin is a living, breathing organism with will and intent seeking to destroy us.” It is referred to in the Bible as crouching at our door. It is a roaring lion infecting and controlling natural man. It is alive and well. Dr. Omar Hamada
Just as God has a wonderful plan for our lives, Scripture tells us Satan also has a plan for us albeit for our destruction and death. We can be sure that whatever God does for our good, Satan counters for our harm God comes to bless and give to the full while Satan comes to ravage and steal. Peter tells us to “resist” him meaning to “withstand” him which is a term of defense rather than attack. Christians are able to stand firm against Satan only if they depend totally upon the power of Christ. Hence, we are told to don the full armor of God so that we can take our stand against all of his flaming arrows. Paul writes in Ephesians:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Eph 6:10-13 (NIV)
The word translated “scheme” in verse ten is from the Greek word “Methodeia” meaning: “Method, the following or pursuing of an orderly and technical procedure in the handling of a subject.” Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible New Testament Lexical Aids. In other words, our adversary is not willy-nilly in the handling of his subjects (us), he has a plan. And while he is certainly not omniscient, he is a careful study. He seems to target his arrows at our weakest most vulnerable areas or breaches in our walls of self-defense. Thankfully, Satan cannot possess believers – we are sealed with the precious Holy Spirit – yet, he can so oppress us that we may at times feel possessed! How important it is for us to fortify our weakest areas – flee rather than remain dallying with our temptations. We are foolish indeed to give him a foothold. Proverbs tells us:
28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. Prov 25:28 (NIV)
In ancient times the power of the city rested in the strength of its walls. In like manner, Scripture tells us the wall surrounding us is our self-control and when breached causes us to collapse. We are to be on our constant guard against our weaknesses and avoid putting ourselves in situations that are ripe for the taking of our “apples”. Every Christian possesses the gift of self-control by the way (albeit this gift unfortunately remains oftentimes unused) - it is a fruit of the Spirit:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Gal 5:22-25 (NIV)
“Be thoroughly acquainted with your temptations and the things that may corrupt you.” Richard Baxter
Lastly, Jesus tells us that He has not only come to give us life but give it to the full. No half measures will do – He has come to overflow our cups. He is all about bestowing exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or imagine through the power that is at work within us. Paul tells us in Ephesians:
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Eph 3:20-21 (NIV)
“Christ came to give life and something more, something better, life with advantage. Life in abundance is eternal life, life and much more.” Matthew Henry
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalms 23:5-6 (NIV)