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Life … to the Full!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

“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

Make no bones about it, Satan is our vicious adversary whose modus operandi is to seek and to destroy. If he cannot keep us from being saved, he will strive to keep us from being used. He is ever seeking opportunities for his savage attacks. However, we are not to fear, but rather be on our guard! Satan desires to destroy us … but Jesus desires to give each one of us life! Peter tells us quite plainly:

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 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)

“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

Just as God has a wonderful plan for our lives, Scripture tells us Satan also has a plan for us, although his plan is for our destruction and death.

We can be sure that whatever God does for our good, Satan tries to counter for our harm. God comes to bless and give life to the full while Satan comes to ravage and steal.

Peter tells us to “resist” Satan which is a term of defense rather than attack. Christians are able to stand firm against Satan when they depend totally upon the power of Christ. Hence, we are told to put on the full armor of God so that we can stand against Satan’s assaults. Paul writes in Ephesians:

“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

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 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. (Ephesians 6:10-13)

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).

“The Christian life is not a playground; it is a battleground.” -Warren Wiersbe

In other words, Satan is not willy-nilly in his attempts to deceive man, he has a plan. And while he certainly is not omniscient, he does have the ability to do a careful study of our weaknesses. He seems to target his arrows at our most vulnerable areas or tries to breach our walls of self-defense.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
-Psalm 23:5-6

Thankfully, we are sealed with the precious Holy Spirit. It is important for us to fortify our weakest areas. And there are times we must flee rather than remain dallying with our temptations. We are foolish indeed to give Satan any kind of foothold.

Proverbs tells us:

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
(Proverbs 25:28)

“Be thoroughly acquainted with your temptations and the things that may corrupt you.”
-Richard Baxter

In ancient times the power of the city rested in the strength of its walls. In like manner, the wall surrounding us is our self-control, and when it is breached, we will collapse. We are to be on our constant guard against our weaknesses and avoid putting ourselves in tempting situations.

Take It to Heart

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.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
-Galatians 5:22-25

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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

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