(Photo by set.sj on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)
Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.
In Lesson 89, we are going to study the last part of 1 John 3:8.
Let’s read this part of the verse:
1 John 3:8…This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.
Let’s go over the definitions of the words.
This is why (1519. eis) — means for this purpose.
the (3588. ho, hé, to) Son (5207. huios) of God — means the Son who shares the Father's nature.
was revealed (5319. phaneroó) — means was made known and openly displayed.
to destroy (3089. luó) — means to break, to release, or to loosen.
the (3588. ho, hé, to) works (2041. ergon) — means deeds, actions, and activities.
of the (3588. ho, hé, to) devil (1228. diabolos) — means the slanderer and false accuser.
In other words, the Son of God, who shares the very nature of the Father, was revealed for this purpose: to break apart, undo, and free people from the works of the devil, the slanderer and false accuser.
In Lesson 87, we learned that the one who practices sin is of the devil. This means that when someone continues in sin, they are living under the influence of the devil’s work rather than walking in the life of God.
In Lesson 88, we learned that the devil has been sinning from the beginning. This means that since his rebellion against God, he has continually opposed God and led others into sin.
Today we are going to study how Jesus, the Son of God, was revealed to break apart, undo, and destroy the works of the devil who has been sinning from the beginning and leading others into sin since his rebellion.
We will first look at verses that describe the devil’s works, and then we will review verses that show how Jesus came to destroy those works.
The Devil Challenges God’s Commands
In Genesis 3:4-5, we see the devil challenge what God had commanded Adam and Eve. One of devil’s primary tactics is to question, distort, and contradict God's Word. Rather than encouraging people to trust God, he seeks to create doubt about God's truth and goodness.
Genesis 3:4-5 “You will not surely die,” the serpent told the woman. 5 “For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Jesus Overcomes the Devil's Challenges with the Word of God
In Matthew 4, Jesus was led into the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil. Unlike Adam and Eve, who gave in to Satan's deception, Jesus resisted every temptation. Each time the devil challenged Him, Jesus responded by standing on the truth of God's Word.
Matthew 4:4 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
The Devil Comes to Steal, Kill, and Destroy
In the first part of John 10:10, Jesus describes the destructive nature of the thief. While the immediate context refers to false shepherds who mislead God's people, their actions reflect the work of the devil, who seeks to harm and destroy.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…
Jesus Came to Bring Life
In the second part of John 10:10, we see why Jesus came. While the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy, Jesus came to give life. Through faith in Him, we receive eternal life and can experience the fullness of life that comes from knowing Him.
John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.
The Devil Accuses God’s People.
In Revelation 12:10, we learn that the devil is the accuser of God's people. He continually brings accusations against believers and seeks to fill them with guilt, condemnation, and doubt. His goal is to discourage your faith and draw you away from close fellowship with God.
Revelation 12:10…For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth — the one who accuses them before our God day and night.
Jesus Is Our Advocate Against the Devil's Accusations
In 1 John 2:1, we learn that Jesus Christ is our Advocate before the Father (Lesson 20). While the devil accuses God's people, Jesus intercedes for us. Because of His death and resurrection, your sins are forgiven, and every accusation against you has been answered by His finished work on the cross.
1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
The Devil Takes People Captive to Do His Will
In 2 Timothy 2:26, we learn that the devil uses snares to take people captive to do his will. A snare is a hidden trap. An animal does not realize it is trapped until it is too late. In the same way, Satan deceives people through lies, temptation, false teaching, and sin, leading them away from God's truth.
2 Timothy 2:26 Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.
Jesus Sets Captives Free
In John 8:31-32, we learn that Jesus came to set people free. While the devil takes people captive through deception and sin, Jesus frees you through His truth. As you continue in His Word, you will grow as His disciples, come to know the truth, and experience the freedom that only He can give.
John 8:31-32 So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free
The Devil Enslaves People Through the Fear of Death
In Hebrews 2:14-15, we learn that the devil holds people in bondage through the fear of death. Because of sin, people live under the shadow of death and judgment. But through His death, Jesus defeated the devil and freed those who were enslaved by that fear.
Hebrews 2:14-15 Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
Jesus Brings Peace
In John 14:27 we read that Jesus gives His followers peace. While the devil seeks to enslave people through fear, Jesus speaks peace to troubled hearts. His peace is not like the world’s. It frees you from fear and gives you confidence in Him.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.
The Devil Lies Continually
In John 8:44, Jesus teaches that the devil is a liar and there is no truth in him. He opposes the truth of God and seeks to lead you away from the truth. When he lies, he is acting according to his nature. He is continually trying to deceive you and draw you away from God’s truth.
John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
Jesus Is the Truth
In John 14:6, we read that Jesus is the truth. While the devil lies and deceives, Jesus leads you to the Father and speaks truth into your life. He is not only the truth we believe, but also the way to God and the life you receive through Him.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
The Devil Blinds the Minds of Unbelievers
In 2 Corinthians 4:4, we read about “the god of this age,” a reference to the devil. Satan works to blind the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the truth and glory of Jesus Christ. He seeks to keep you in spiritual darkness and prevent you from believing the gospel.
2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Jesus Came to Bring Sight to the Blind
In Luke 4:18, Jesus declares that He is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Part of His mission is to bring recovery of sight to the blind. This includes physical healing, but also points to spiritual sight, opening the eyes of those blinded by sin and the devil so you can see the truth of God.
Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed,
In conclusion, Jesus, the Son of God, was revealed to destroy the destructive works of the devil. When someone continues in rebellion against God, they are living under the influence of the devil’s works rather than the truth of God. When that person puts their faith in Christ, Jesus breaks the power of the devil’s work in their life and brings them into new life and freedom.
Let’s review the key takeaways from the supporting verses we studied.
The devil challenges God’s command, but Jesus overcomes the devil’s challenges by standing on the truth of God’s Word.
The devil came to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came to bring abundant life.
The devil is the accuser of God’s people, but Jesus is our Advocate.
The devil takes people captive through deception and sin, but Jesus sets captives free.
The devil enslaves people through the fear of death, but Jesus delivers us from the fear of death and gives us peace.
The devil lies continually, but Jesus is the truth.
The devil blinds the minds of unbelievers, but Jesus came to bring sight to the blind.
Be encouraged. Even though we have all been affected by the works of the devil, we can look to Jesus. He came to destroy the works of the devil and bring us into new life and freedom. Continue to focus on Jesus every single day and trust Him to keep you in peace and freedom from the lies of the enemy.
Here’s a prayer to help you to respond to today’s lesson:
Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the Son of God, to destroy the works of the devil and bring me into life and freedom. Thank You that Jesus is my Advocate, my Truth, and the One who sets me free. Help me to stand on Your Word when I am tempted or attacked with lies. When I feel accusation, fear, or confusion, remind me of what Christ has done for me on the cross. Strengthen my faith so I do not believe the enemy’s lies, but instead trust in Your truth. Fill my heart with Your peace and help me to walk in the freedom You have given me. Keep me close to Jesus each day, and teach me to live in the victory He has already won. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Let’s read this part of the verse one more time:
1 John 3:8…This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.
If you’ve been blessed by Hope Bible School, please share it with others.
Listen to these lessons over and over again.
Meditate on God’s Word throughout the day. Pray continually. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
If you have any prayer requests, please share them in the comments.
Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
