– on the prowl

– looking to devour

– crafty

– is a liar 

– misquotes Scripture

– full of pride

– a thief who steals 

John 10:10

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Jesus uses a comparison to himself to describe Satan. He labels him a thief and that he comes to steal. Jesus by contrast came to give life, an abundant life full of faith and knowing God.

*So what does it look like for the enemy to steal?

Mark 4:3-4  “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.”

‭‭Jesus then explains this… Mark 4:15 “What falls on the beaten path represents those who hear the message, but immediately Satan appears and snatches it from their hearts.” 

God intends that His Word, the source of faith including the Gospel message, would go deep and bear fruit. The enemy is intent to steal away the Word and the seed that was sown before anything really happens. 

Question: Have you seen emerging faith in someone be ‘stolen away’?

Action Point: In this battle for souls, declaring the Word is an important starting point but prayer and discipleship are needed in this battle.