The Thief - Who comes to steal
John 10:9-10 "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 "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. (NKJV)
Jesus is the way to the father. A bold statement that might even sound arrogant to some, yet its true. Knowing Jesus is eternal life (John 17:3). We only start to live to the full when we receive Jesus into our hearts.
On the other hand satan is a thief. He comes to take what is not his. He has only three ambitions which Jesus clearly stated; to steal, kill and destroy.
Stealing
God has made his divine power (2 Peter 1:3-4) available to us as believers through Jesus Christ. God does not expect us to live the Christian life in our own strength. He has made provision for all the help we need by his word (promises) and by the Holy Spirit.
Satan however has set about to steal these provisions that God has made. He accomplishes this by concealing our eyes to God's promises. He sows doubt and unbelief in our hearts. All this is done in an attempt to take our focus off God's provision and put it on his lies
When Jesus said that satan has come to steal he meant it. We need to realise that we have an enemy who is intent on stealing what is rightfully ours. Satan is a thief.
When you are aware of the possibility that a thief might try to invade your house you take extra security measures. We need to do the same in our Christian walk. We need to be vigilant (1 Peter 5:8).
It is so easy for satan to rob us of our rights in Christ Jesus when we refuse to take precautions and be vigilant. This is why Jesus warned us about it (John 10:10)
Worry is one of his most effective weapons that satan uses to steal from us. Worrying about tomorrow denies you from enjoying today. Worrying steals your joy and peace.
To worry is to say God is not faithful. Worrying takes your eyes off God's provision and fixes them on satan's activities. Jesus had a lot to say about worrying (Matthew 6:25-34).
Worrying opens the door to fear. Fear robs us from having a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). We need a sound mind (or peaceful mind) if we are to hear from God.
God desires to speak to us through his word and by his spirit. When we allow worry and fear to rule us we lose our peace. We no longer hear God. Satan succeeds in stealing what is ours.
Guard your heart and mind against worry and fear. Remember, they are weapons satan uses to steal from you. Worry and fear take away your peace and joy. Fix your eyes on God's words, not on satan's lies.