Those Who Belong to the Devil

Scripture:

I John 3:8 "But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil".

Observation:

Many people quote the second half of this verse often, but when we see it in it's context we realize what it is really talking about. We often hear, "the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil". We use it about any work of the devil, which is okay to do, but the primary thing this verse deals with is the people who keep on sinning. It says those who keep on sinning belong to the devil. many people want the works of the devil destroyed in their lives, but also want to keep on sinning.

Application:

If we are going to quote the verse for other things, we must also apply this to our own hearts. When we continue to sin after salvation, we are making Christ's sacrifice appear to be powerless. He destroyed the works of the devil, therefore God's children should be able to resist temptation and live a victorious life over sin. We must raise the bar and live a life that demonstrated that Jesus is above all the power of the devil. When we sin, we give the enemy a foothold in our lives. He is powerless to make us sin unless we give him opportunity.

Prayer:

Lord, those who belong to the devil are the ones who keep on sinning after salvation. I know "if we sin" we have an advocate, but help me not to use it very much. Help me to live a life that is worthy of your death. Help me to demonstrate in a practical way that you truly have destroyed this work of the devil called sin. Help me to teach others plainly, that they may walk above sin as well.

Forever Yours,

Jeff