How does 1 John 3:8 define the purpose of Jesus' coming? Text At A Glance 1 John 3:8: “The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.” Purpose Stated: Destroy the Works of the Devil • Scripture speaks plainly and literally: the reason Jesus appeared in flesh was “to destroy” (Greek: luō — loosen, break up, dissolve) everything the devil has produced. • Not merely to limit, restrain, or postpone evil—but to overthrow it. What Are “the Works of the Devil”? • Sin—habitual rebellion against God (1 John 3:4, 8). • Deception—lying and blinding minds (John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 4:4). • Fear of death—lifelong slavery (Hebrews 2:14-15). • Accusation and condemnation (Revelation 12:10). • Bondage of sickness, demonic oppression, and idolatry (Acts 10:38; 1 Corinthians 10:20). How Jesus Destroys Those Works 1. Incarnation: entering our world exposes darkness (John 1:5). 2. Sinless Life: proves Satan’s claims false (John 14:30). 3. Substitutionary Death: pays sin’s penalty, breaking its legal hold (Colossians 2:14). 4. Resurrection: shatters death itself (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). 5. Ascension & Reign: disarms rulers and authorities (Colossians 2:15; Ephesians 1:20-22). 6. Sending the Spirit: enforces victory in believers (Romans 8:2-3). Related Passages Reinforcing the Purpose • Genesis 3:15 — first promise: the Seed will crush the serpent’s head. • Matthew 12:28-29 — “bind the strong man” to plunder his house. • John 12:31 — “Now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” • Hebrews 2:14 — “that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” • Revelation 20:10 — final removal in the lake of fire. Living in the Reality of His Victory • Receive His finished work by faith; the tyrant’s chain is already broken (Colossians 1:13-14). • Reject ongoing sin; it belongs to the defeated realm (1 John 3:9). • Resist the devil; he must flee from ground Christ has reclaimed (James 4:7). • Walk in truth and love; every obedient step showcases Satan’s downfall (1 John 3:10-11). Jesus did not come merely to comfort victims of evil; He came to crush its source. 1 John 3:8 anchors that purpose, and every believer now stands in the triumph He secured. |
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