The Reason

“Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8 ESV

From Genesis 3 on throughout the remaining chapters of the entire Bible, sin is a problem for mankind. We get some glimpses later on about the behind-the-scenes action in the heavenlies, how it all came to be, how it was before Genesis 3, but mostly we are familiar with what havoc Satan has wreaked in all of life on earth.

Today’s Scripture tells us plainly that the devil has been sinning from the beginning. Not from the time of Genesis 3, but “from the beginning.” This means, the devil has been sinning since his origin; it could also mean that he has kept on sinning since he first sinned. Every action, every thought, every word of his since this beginning was sin.

This means trouble for us, because sin separates us from God. Satan wants us separated from God—forever. He does what he does to keep us from God.

Enter Jesus, who appeared on earth to destroy the works of the devil. The battle was on. The victory was certain, but it had to be lived out in order for a victor to be declared.

What exactly are the sins of the devil? I’m sure they are many more than I could enumerate or even think of—God knows, and that is enough. But a few are obvious:

The devil deceives us about pleasure, so we sin, which brings guilt. But the Bible says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 ESV).

The devil accuses. But the Bible says, “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies” (Romans 8:33 ESV).

The devil harms and maims us. But “…they brought [Jesus] all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 ESV).

The devil steals, kills, and destroys. He always tries to separate us from God. But “[Neither] death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39 ESV).

The devil makes a big deal out of his presence on this earth. He makes a whole lot of noise so we all know he’s around. But “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

The devil makes us feel weak and helpless in the fight. But “[The saints] have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11 ESV).

God never intended for us to live under the rule of Satan. “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b).

The devil had the power of death. But “…through death [Jesus]… destroyed him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14).

Father, as we can plainly see, if You are for us, who can be against us?