No. 1614: Jesus will give life and abundance, while the Thief will only steal, kill and destroy!

No. 1614:
Jesus will give life and abundance, while the Thief will only steal, kill and destroy!

The thief is here the evil one – Satan – as described by Jesus.
It is one of his many names and attributes.
Illustration image

https://blog.janchristensen.net/2021/03/nr-2830-hvert-sted-i-setter-eders-fot.html
https://blog.janchristensen.net/2020/09/nr-2748-alle-guds-lfter-guds.html

Joh.e. 10. 10 The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and they may have it abundantly.

Jesus refers to Satan here as a thief, and he really is. What does the Thief want?
Jesus says it himself here; "steal, kill and destroy!"

What does it mean to steal? Here from Wikipedia.
Theft refers to unjustifiably taking someone else's things in order to obtain an advantage for oneself in that way. In §321 of the Norwegian Penal Code, this is stated as follows:
Theft is punishable by anyone who takes an object belonging to another, with the intention of obtaining an unjustified gain for himself or others by selling, consuming or otherwise appropriating it.

Satan really does not own any worldly things. But God has given us humans stewardship responsibility for this earth, and the things that are on earth.
This is where the Thief (Satan) operates.

Satan's goal is to make things uncomfortable, not make things easy!

Everyone has experienced being exposed to something unpleasant. In the form of theft, abuse, bad treatment etc.
That is how Tyven operates.
Does not create anything of its own, but robs others who have created and done something.
Who is in possession of something that is his, that the Thief wants.

We read about the evil one's fight against Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden!

What do we see there?
Satan will always disturb, mislead and ultimately make that which God will give us.
Or has given us, is robbed from us.
If we are robbed and end up with darkness reigning where light should have reigned.
God had placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, where they were to rule and were Blessed.

Satan will exchange the good, the right and that which is for the best for us. With evil, that which robs us of joy and that which is for the worst for us.

There are two opposites, God and Satan. We read about how Satan seduced Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and this is how he works today as well. The tactics are the same, to deceive and play us so that we follow His evil purposes. Not God's plan and will!

Genesis 3. 1. But the serpent was more cunning than all the animals of the field that God the Lord had made, and it said to the woman: Did God really say: You shall not eat from any tree in the garden? 2 And the woman said to the serpent: We can eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3 but about the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, God has said: You shall not eat of it nor touch it, for then you shall die. 4 Then the serpent said to the woman: You shall not surely die; 5 for God knows that on the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God and know good and evil. 6 And the woman saw that the tree was good to eat from, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that it was a beautiful tree, since one could gain understanding from it, and she took the fruit and ate; and she brought her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they saw that they were naked, and they fastened fig leaves together and tied them around their waists. 8 And they heard God the Lord walking in the garden, when the day had grown cool; and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 Then God the Lord called Adam and said to him: Where are you? 10 And he answered: I heard you in the garden; then I was afraid, because I was naked, and I scowled. 11 Then he said: Who told you that you are naked? Do you have one of the three that I forbade you to eat? 12 And Adam said: The woman whom you gave me to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate. 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman: What have you done! And the woman said: The serpent deceived me, and I ate. 14 Then God the Lord said to the serpent: Because you have done this, you shall be cursed among all cattle and among all wild animals. On your belly you shall crawl, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head, but you shall bruise its heel.

Satan's goal is obvious, to deceive people and make them believe something other than what God has said.

This is how he operates today too, make us humans believe the lie rather than the truth.
Here Eva was first seduced, it says what she did.
"The woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that it was a beautiful tree, since one could gain understanding from it, and she took the fruit and ate."

Scripture clearly warns against this, we read in 1 Joh.b. 2. 15 Do not love the world or anything that is of the world. For whoever loves the things of this world cannot have our Father's love in him.
16 For all that is of the world — the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, and inflated pride of one's own means, is not of our Father, but of the world.
17 That which is of the world shall be taken away with its lust. But he who does the will of God shall endure for ages.

Here we see that what the Apostle warns against was a trap for Adam and Eve.
It isthe same trap and temptations for us today allow. As it has always been.
We read in verse 16 in particular: "the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, and inflated pride of one's own means."

Many of us remember a song from Sunday school where it was called "Be careful, little eye, what you see", "little ear, what you hear", "little mouth, what you say", "little foot, where you goes" and "little heart, what do you think".

This is basic knowledge in the face of the enemy. We give him access by opening ourselves up to his thought pattern.
Second, our feelings, and what we allow ourselves to both see and hear.

The Evil One will still rob us of what God will give us. Therefore, we must be aware that there are two polar opposites. Which in turn will gain influence and control over us.

Col. 1. 13 He has freed us from the powers of darkness, and he will lead us to his kingdom through the love of his Son.
1930 the translation Col. 1. 13 he who freed us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son,

Apparently, it may seem that Jesus' words that he will give us life, and abundance. While the Thief comes to steal, kill and destroy votes. Da Tyven/Satan has so much to offer. As the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eye.
Or as it says in the 1930 translation here.
1 John b. 2. 16 for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and grandeur of life, is not of the Father, but of the world.

When we allow the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and our pride to rule us, it leads directly to what the Thief wants.
We must then do something about this, as Tyven wants. The scriptures give clear and good advice.
Here is one of many:

2 Cor. 10. 3 For though we live in the flesh, we do not strive after the flesh.
4 The weapons of war that we use are not of the flesh, but of the power of God, the one who can pull down strongholds.
5 For we will tear down mental buildings and all fences that rise against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought that is not of obedience to Christ.
6 And we are ready to punish all disobedience until you are fully obedient.

Jesus creates change, joy and life.
But one can compare this to passing a glass filled with something good to drink.
You have to choose to drink yourself, in order for there to be benefit and pleasure from it.
It is the same for us, we ourselves must choose to do something with what God has given us in Christ Jesus.

Final comment:

That Jesus will give us life, life in abundance.
Jesus himself said it "I have come that they may have life, and they may have it more abundantly."
At the same time, it does not come automatically. We must choose for ourselves whether it is Jesus' influence that will apply.
Or it is the opposite power that will gain influence.
Jesus himself said this; "The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy."
Who is this Thief? Obviously our enemy Satan.
There are two opposite poles here, each with its own alternative.
The choice is ours who will rule and rule in our lives.
Scripture says:
Room. 6. 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves as slaves, as slaves you must be obedient - either to the sin that leads to death, or you are obedient to righteousness.
17 And by God's grace you are not slaves to sin, but wholeheartedly obedient to the form of teaching that has been handed down to you.
18 You have been freed from sin and are slaves to righteousness.

Here we meet this in scripture again. We arrive at the finished table.
But there is a catch to it all. We must accept this by believing this, then a surrender to God's good will is required.
This is also the case with what Tyven has to offer.
You have to accept lies as truth. Live according to what is really the easiest thing for us humans as we are born in sin and thrive in sin. We are basically on Tyvens' side, who will show us everything.
Above all, it is the Eternal life in Christ Jesus that he wants to rob us of.
Second, everything in this world that is most important is to do God's will and live according to God's good word. Live by the Good Book!
Life and abundance, what is this really? Enter Christ and live according to His teachings!
What is the opposite?
It is not really following Jesus, receiving him. Because if you do not accept Jesus, you will never gain access to this life, the scriptures teach!

1 John b. 5. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in him. But he who does not want to believe God on this makes him a liar, because he does not want to believe the testimony God has given about his Son.
11 And this is God's testimony: That he gives eternal life, and that this life is through the Son.
12 He who has the Son has life. But he who does not have the Son of God does not have life either.
13 I write this so that you will believe in the name of the Son of God, and so that you will know that you will have eternal life through faith in the name of the Son of God.

1930 the translation 1 Joh.b. 5. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; he who does not believe God has made him a liar; for he has not believed the testimony which God has given his Son. 11 And this is the testimony that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life t; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I have written this to you so that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God.

The basic text also says roughly the following freely translated:
10 He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony within himself; he who does not believe God has made him a liar; for he has not believed the testimony which God has testified about his Son. 11 This is the testimony that God has given us the Son, this eternal life is in his Son and no one else 12 He who has the Son, he has this eternal life. Whoever does not have the Son of God, he does not have this eternal life! 13 I have written this to you so that you may know that you have eternal life who believe in the Name (Jesus) of the Son of God. The name of God's son (Jesus.)

No. 1613: How to behave as a Jesus believer in the face of difficult, narcissistic and lying people, what does the scripture say?

No. 1613:

How to behave as a Jesus believer in the face of difficult, narcissistic and lying people, what does the scripture say?

God's guidance is not really that difficult. God leads us through his word, through his Spirit, through people and circumstances. In extra ordaining cases angels and by hearing God's voice clearly. But not only hearing, but also doing is the essence and the important thing.
Even a donkey can be used by God as with Balaam, but the usual is primarily through the word of God, our conscience, through the circumstances and other people.
Illustration image with a mouth, as God's speech is in different ways as mentioned here. Well, that is the topic of this article.

All believers face challenges repeatedly in dealing with people who are ruled by forces other than God.
And has an attitude that is challenging, difficult and narcissistic.

As a believer, I would argue that we are generally trained and brought up to be too permissive. Give in to evil and evil persons. Scripture also says this.

Matt. 5. 43 "You have heard that it is said: 'You shall love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. Leviticus 19:18
44 But I say: Love your enemies, speak well of those who hate you and pray for those who slander and persecute you. For in this way you can show that you are sons of your Father in heaven.
45 For when the sun rises, it rises on both the evil and the good, and when it rains, it rains on both the just and the unjust.
46 For if you love only those who love you, what reward do you deserve? Don't the tax foots do the same?
47 And if you only greet your brothers, what do you do more than others? Don't the tax foot also do the same?
48 Therefore be mature, for your Father in heaven is mature."

This is important, and right. Turn the other cheek, don't catch up. But scripture also teaches other ways to deal with injustice. It is not always right to always give in, turn the other cheek.
Let me take a few more scriptures that deal with this.

Ephesus. 5. 8 Before you were in darkness. But now you are in the Lord's light. Then also live as a child of light.
9 For the fruit of the spirit consists of goodness, righteousness and truth.
10 Consider what pleases the Lord!
11 Do not become part of the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
12 But it is a shame just to talk about what happens in secret.
13 For everything is revealed and revealed by the light, and everything that is revealed is by the light.
14 Therefore he has said: 'Awake, you who sleep! Rise from the dead.' Let Christ shine for you! ISA 26,19

Col. 4. 3 Let me reveal it as I should speak.
4 Behave wisely among outsiders. Buy yourselves time.
5 Let your speech be gracious, and seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Here the scripture says, on the contrary, we should turn the other cheek, but rather rebuke and expose the works of darkness

Looking back at small and large events in my life. Where, unfortunately, all too often I have accepted what certain difficult, narcissistic and lying people have come at me with. Then, unfortunately, I didn't take up the fight, but gave in.
This is what I would call the "Christianity syndrome!" that one turns the other cheek in time and out of time.
Scripture also says, rebuke, speak against and do not always accept injustice and evil people's actions and behavior.

Think e.g. what I did to Unibuss who made outright false and lying accusations against me.
That I played loud Christian music, which was not true at all.
https://blog.janchristensen.net/2023/02/nr-3178-det-var-dokumentert-av.html

Then I stood with the "Santa's hat" in my hand, and accepted what these liars came up with.
Think this is synonymous and common among us believers?
Where time after time we are far too lenient in the face of evil and evil people. We do not take up the fight, and fight and stand for what we know and believe is right.

Important and necessary to always be led by the Holy Spirit for us believers, in all situations of life!

Actually believe that God will and can lead us as believers in absolutely all situations and events in life. Then God will guide us in accordance with his own word, not only that. But the Lord will give us advice with his eye, it says in the scriptures.

Psalm 32. 8 I will teach you and show you the way you should walk; I will advise you with my eye. 9 Do not be like the horse and the mule, which have no understanding! Their jewelry is empty and sloppy to compel them with; they will not come near you.

There are many stories from God's word that come to mind. One of them is when King David fought against the Philistines. How God led him.

1 Chron 14. 8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they all went out to get hold of him. But David got the hang of it and went out to meet them. 9 The Philistines came and spread out over the valley of Rephaim. 10 Then David asked God for advice: "Shall I go against the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” And the Lord answered: “Just go up; I will give them into your power.” 11 Then David went up to Ba'al-Perasim, and there he smote them. Then he said: “God has broke through the enemy's ranks by my hand as water breaks through a dam." Therefore this place is called Ba'al-Perasim. 12 There the Philistines left their idols, and David ordered them to be burned.
     13 But the Philistines went out once more and spread out across the valley. 14 Then David asked God for advice again, but he answered: "You shall not follow straight after them, but take a detour so that you come upon them opposite the beca trees. 15 When you hear the sound of footsteps above the treetops, go to battle. For then God has gone out before you to smite the army of the Philistines.” 16 David did as God commanded him, and he defeated the Philistine army and pursued it from Gibeon to Gezer. 17 David's reputation reached all countries, and the Lord made it so that all nations were afraid of him.

God does not always lead us the same way every time, even if we have the same enemy!

As I have pointed out, we as believers are in the vast majority of cases far too lenient towards our opponents. By all means, this is correct in many cases. The scripture says, among other things to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile.
This walking 1 mile was something that in Jesus' time every citizen was required to do to help the Roman soldiers with their equipment when they needed help. This was approx. 1.6 Km. Jesus said, go double!

Sometimes it is right to be "defiant" and stand up for what is right.
Scripture says:

Heb. 11. 23 By faith Moses hid
24 By faith, after he had grown up, Moses refused to say that he was the son of Pharaoh's daughter.
25 He preferred to have to suffer with God's people rather than have a momentary joy in the pleasure of sin.

We see here that both Moses' parents and Moses himself put themselves on the "hind legs" in the face of what was imposed on them and expected. Like the word that says about Moses,
"By faith, after he had grown up, Moses refused to say that he was the son of Pharaoh's daughter."

It is when he had grown up that he REFUSED!

Looking back on my life and ministry. So this with being able to "vary" and the ability to say no when you have to. And yes, when it has to be said. It is not easy, as one is so easily influenced both by the circumstances and by having what I would call the "Christian syndrome!" Where one accepts far too much, and is too permissive.
I'm not saying it's wrong sometimes.
But we can learn from King David, who asked God for advice every time the enemy attacked.
We read in 1 Chronicles 14 that David attacked first, and won the victory.
The second time he used cunning, and won.
Likewise for us believers, we must ask God for wisdom and the ability to be led by God and his Spirit.
http://www.janchristensen.net/artiklerhoved.php?side=how-to-be-led-by-the-holy-spirit

I know the importance of being led by the Holy Spirit is crucial!

Unfortunately, I have made a number of mistakes here as well, which both I and you who read this should and can learn from.
It is when God speaks about something, then one must stand firm in this.
Don't back down, but stand firm. Abide in what you have learned says Paul to Timothy.
The same can be said for us today.

God has time after time either spoken to me, guided me or in other ways revealed his will.

This with God's leadership is not really that difficult. Then God will reveal his will and way for his children. The scriptures speak of this again and again.
But my experience is that the most difficult thing is to implement what God has spoken and shown me.
I think this is true for all believers!

God is tender and careful when he leads us most of the time!

We read in Psalm 34 that he gives us advice with his eye. We know that the eye is the most vulnerable and delicate place on the body. Just a small piece of debris is enough to impair vision. As soon as the eye feels attacked, we close it automatically.

It is therefore completely wrong to think that we will get writing on the wall and hear God's will like King Belshazzar in Daniel 5. This can happen, but the "normal" is small hints either through God's word, by God's indictment, by other people or circumstances happen as God shows his way!

Final comment:

Finally, I would like to tell here how God led us as a family when my wife and I were relatively newly married and had only had our 2 girls.
We had bought a relatively small two-room apartment in Vestli here in the capital.
It was too small for us, and we asked God to help us get a bigger apartment.
I was at the Library at Stovner and read the newspaper Vårt Land.
It was there in the Bill newspaper. Branded apartment 4-room apartment for rent.
I called right away and came for a viewing. This was obviously God's will.
But then for various reasons I managed to squander this opportunity.
That is how God leads, and it is important then to follow God's leadership and be steadfast. Here through the circumstances.
Unfortunately, far too many times I have been led by God, but have not followed God's leading. I have tried to learn lessons, and you who are reading this.
Take lessons, and follow God's leading all the way.
Not only at the beginning, but also throughout and at the end. You will profit from this, and God's way and leadership is always the right one give the best!

Related links:
http://www.janchristensen.net/artiklerhoved.php?side=how-to-be-led-by-the-holy-spirit