The Thief Comes Only to Steal
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." — John 10:10
A Conversation at Four in the Morning
A man was woken early one morning while ministering abroad, with the clear impression that he should get up and read John 10:10.
"Lord, I don't need to get my Bible," he complained. The bed was comfortable and his wife was asleep. "I can quote that verse from memory."
The reply came: "Then quote it."
He could not remember a word. He got up quickly.
Opening his Bible, he read: "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
"Who is the thief?"
"Satan."
"That's correct. Now turn to Luke 10:19."
The Line of Questioning
"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:19)
"Who is the enemy?"
"Satan."
"Correct. To whom did I give authority over Satan?"
"To Your disciples."
"And who are My disciples?"
"Well — the original twelve. But all true Christians today are Your disciples as well."
"Exactly."
Then he was directed to Romans 8:
"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ." (Romans 8:16–17)
And the point landed: the Lord is tired of His children behaving like whipped puppies.
We are joint heirs with Christ. It is time we started acting like it. God has given us authority over the enemy through Jesus Christ. The trouble is that most believers never exercise it and continue living in defeat — which is precisely why churches are weak and the gospel does not spread as it should.
Naming the Thief Correctly
Two things must be settled before anything else in these final lessons.
First: the thief is the thief. Not God. When something is stolen from you, it was not taken by your Father. He does not steal. He has never stolen from anyone.
Second: you have been given authority over the thief. Not permission to complain about him. Authority.
Both facts are stated plainly in Scripture, and most believers hold neither of them functionally.
Point to Ponder
The Lord is tired of His children acting like whipped puppies. You are a joint heir.
Verse to Remember
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." — John 10:10
Question to Consider
What has been stolen from me that I have simply accepted as gone?
Today's Practice
Make a list. What has the thief taken from you?
Your joy. Your health. Your marriage. Your children. Your job. Your reputation. Your finances. Your ministry. Your peace. Years of your life.
Write it all down. Do not evaluate yet — the next lessons will address what to do about each category.
Then read John 10:10 and Luke 10:19 aloud, several times, until they stop being familiar verses and start being statements about you.
And ask yourself honestly: when did I last exercise the authority I have been given, rather than merely believing I have it?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You said You came so that I might have life, and have it abundantly. That is not the life I have been living, and I want to know why.
You said You gave me authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. I have believed that as a doctrine and almost never acted on it.
Forgive me for living like a victim when You made me a joint heir. Forgive me for blaming You for what the thief took.
Show me what has been stolen from me. Show me what I gave away and what was taken. And teach me, Lord, to use what You purchased at such cost.
I am done acting like a whipped puppy. In Your name. Amen.
Most believers hold the doctrine of their authority and have never once used it.