START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION
(KJV) John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The Thief Comes, But Christ Has Come: Choosing the Abundant Life
We live in a world caught in a quiet but fierce tug-of-war. Every single day, we face influences that either pull us toward wholeness or drag us toward brokenness. In the Gospel of John, Jesus strips away the ambiguity and lays out this spiritual reality with absolute clarity.
In John 10:10, He states: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
This single verse presents a stark, undeniable contrast between two distinct forces: the deceptive purpose of the enemy and the life-giving mission of Jesus Christ.
The Purpose of the Thief: To Steal, Kill, and Destroy
Jesus explicitly labels Satan as a thief. The enemy’s tactics are rarely loud or obvious at first; instead, he slips into our lives through subtle deception, doubt, and distraction. He and his forces serve only themselves, motivated by a singular desire to destroy people and keep them separated from God.
As 1 Peter 5:8 reminds us, the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. The thief wants to:
- Steal your joy, your peace, and your sense of identity.
- Kill your dreams, your relationships, and your hope for the future.
- Destroy your faith and your connection to the Creator.
When we experience overwhelming feelings of worthlessness, persistent guilt, or the urge to isolate ourselves from God, we are feeling the footprints of the thief.
The Purpose of Christ: Life to the Full
In beautiful, powerful contrast, Jesus steps into the narrative with three game-changing words: “I have come.”
Jesus did not come to impose a heavy burden of rigid rules or to drain the joy out of our existence. He came as the Good Shepherd to give us true, authentic life. This isn’t just about surviving or waiting around for heaven—it is about experiencing an abundant, rich, and satisfying life right here and now.
This abundant life is unlocked through a deep, personal relationship with Him. When we accept Christ’s forgiveness, the old patterns of destruction are broken. We are given a fresh start and a renewed spirit. Through Him, we finally discover and fulfill the highest, ultimate purpose for which God uniquely created us.
Which Voice Will You Follow?
The thief wants you to believe that you are defined by your past mistakes and that God is holding out on you. Jesus invites you into freedom, reminding you that He laid down His very life so that you could live fully alive.
Today, you have a choice. You can let the thief quietly chip away at your peace, or you can open your heart wide to the Good Shepherd. Turn away from the distractions that drain your soul and lean into the one relationship that promises to fill it to the brim.
A Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to rescue us from the grip of the enemy. Lord, we recognize that the thief is constantly trying to steal our peace, kill our hope, and destroy our purpose. Forgive us for the times we have listened to his lies or allowed distractions to keep us from You.
We thank You, Jesus, that You have come so that we might have life in all its fullness. We actively accept Your forgiveness, Your grace, and Your new life today. Help us to guard our hearts against the deceptions of the enemy and anchor ourselves deeply in Your truth. Guide our steps so that we can fulfill the high and holy purpose for which You created us.
Fill us with Your joy and peace today. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Bible Study Tools I Use
- NIV Bible
- King James Bible
- www. biblegateway.com
- www.biblestudytools.com
- Map Pencils
- College Ruled Spiral Notebook
- Ballpoint Pens
- Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!
Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter
- I AM THE GATE / JOHN 10:9
- JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD / JOHN 10:1
- THOSE WHO SEE WILL BECOME BLIND / JOHN 9:39
- THEY THREW HIM OUT / JOHN 9:34
- WORK OF GOD MIGHT BE DISPLAYED / JOHN 9:3
- BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS BORN, I AM / JOHN 8:58
- WILL NEVER SEE DEATH / JOHN 8:51
- HE IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF LIES / JOHN 8:44
- IF GOD WERE YOUR FATHER / JOHN 8:42
- YOU WILL BE FREE INDEED / JOHN 8:36
- EVERYONE WHO SINS / JOHN 8:34
- THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE / JOHN 8:32
- IF YOU HOLD TO MY TEACHING / JOHN 8:31
- I PASS JUDGMENT ON NO ONE / JOHN 8:15
- I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD / JOHN 8:12
- NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU / JOHN 8:11
- IF ANY ONE OF YOU IS WITHOUT SIN / JOHN 8:7
- JESUS HAD NOT YET BEEN GLORIFIED / JOHN 7:39
- AS THE SCRIPTURE HAS SAID – STREAMS OF LIVING WATER / JOHN 7:38
- GAIN HONOR FOR HIMSELF / JOHN 7:18
- IF ANYONE CHOOSES TO DO GOD’S WILL / JOHN 7:17
- IT HATES ME / JOHN 7:6-7
- FEAST OF TABERNACLES / JOHN 7:2-3
- JESUS HAD KNOWN FROM THE BEGINNING / JOHN 6:64
- EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD / JOHN 6:54
- THE FATHER … DRAWS HIM / JOHN 6:44
- MY FATHER’S WILL / JOHN 6:40
- I WILL NEVER DRIVE AWAY / JOHN 6:37
- I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE / JOHN 6:35
- DON’T BE AFRAID / JOHN 6:20
- JESUS PRAYS ALONE / JOHN 6:15
- THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND /JOHN 6:7
- MIRACLES / JOHN 6:1-2
- DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT HE WROTE / JOHN 5:47
- ACCEPT PRAISE FROM ONE ANOTHER / JOHN 5:44
- YOU DILIGENTLY STUDY / JOHN 5:39-40
- YOU HAVE SENT JOHN / John 5:33
- THOSE WHO HAVE DONE GOOD – RISE TO LIVE – THOSE WHO HAVE DONE EVIL / JOHN 5:29
- HAS GRANTED THE SON TO HAVE LIFE IN HIMSELF / JOHN 5:26
- HEARS … BELIEVES / JOHN 5:24
- MAKING HIMSELF EQUAL WITH GOD / JOHN 5:18-24
- PERSECUTED HIM / JOHN 5:16
- STOP SINNING / JOHN 5:14
- THE MAN WAS CURED / JOHN 5:9-10
- THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS / JOHN 5:5
- SIGNS AND WONDERS / JOHN 4:48
- CROP FOR ETERNAL LIFE / JOHN 4:36
- LOOK AT THE FIELDS / JOHN 4:35
- SURPRISED TO FIND HIM TALKING WITH A WOMAN / JOHN 4:27
- TRUTH / JOHN 4:24
- WORSHIP … IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH / JOHN 4:23-24
- SAMARITANS WORSHIP WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW / JOHN 4:22
- WATER … ETERNAL LIFE / JOHN 4:14
- SAMARITAN WOMAN / JOHN 4:7
- WHOEVER REJECTS / JOHN 3:36
- GIVES THE SPIRIT WITHOUT LIMIT / JOHN 3:34
- LOVED DARKNESS INSTEAD OF LIGHT / JOHN 3:19
- GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD /JOHN 3:16
- JUST AS MOSES LIFTED UP THE SNAKE / JOHN 3:14-15
- THE WIND … THE SPIRIT / JOHN 3:8
- BORN OF WATER / JOHN 3:5
- BORN AGAIN / JOHN 3:3
- TEMPLE / JOHN 2:19
- DROVE ALL FROM THE TEMPLE AREA / JOHN 2:15
- SIGNS / JOHN 2:11
- CHOICE WINE – HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK / JOHN 2:10
- WINE – THEY HAVE NO MORE WINE / JOHN 2:3
- YOU SHALL SEE HEAVEN OPEN / JOHN 1:51
- CEPHAS … PETER / JOHN 1:42
- THE FIRST THING ANDREW DID / JOHN 1:41
- THE TENTH HOUR /JOHN 1:39
- WILL BAPTIZE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / JOHN 1:33
- LAMB OF GOD / JOHN 1:29
- PHARISEES / JOHN 1:24
- GRACE AND TRUTH / JOHN 1:17
- THE WORD BECAME FLESH / JOHN 1:14
- BORN NOT OF … HUMAN DECISION / JOHN 1:13
- RECEIVED … BELIEVED / JOHN 1:12
- THE WORLD DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM / JOHN 1:10
- GIVES LIGHT TO EVERY MAN / JOHN 1:9
- HIS NAME WAS JOHN / JOHN 1:6
- LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS / JOHN 1:5
- LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN / JOHN 1:4
- WITH GOD IN THE BEGINNING / JOHN 1:2
- THE WORD / JOHN 1:1
- CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE
Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!
Blessings, Margarita & Stace