![]() It could mean to sacrifice to surrender or to give up something that is precious and dear. It originally referred to the sacrificial giving of animals on the altar. But the Greek word is thuo, which means to sacrifice. Not only does the thief come to steal, but Jesus said that he also comes “to kill.” At first glance, it appears that this means to kill, as to take someone’s life. This is precisely the nature and behavior of the thief Jesus told us about! Just as a kleptomaniac can’t help but steal, the devil can’t stop stealing because it is his impulse and his very nature to steal. I find it very interesting that this is where we get the word kleptomaniac, which describes a person with a persistent, neurotic impulse to steal. The word klepto describes a thief’s uncontrollable urge to get his hands into someone’s pockets so he can take that which doesn’t rightfully belong to him. Often the devil injects thoughts into a person’s mind to steal his peace, his joy, and even his beliefs. He knows that if he does it outright, his actions will be recognized therefore, he steals from people in such a deceptive way that he often accomplishes his evil goal before they even know he has stolen from them! Jesus uses this word to let us know the devil is very cunning in the way he steals from people. They can slip their hands into a person’s pockets, take what they want, and be long gone before that person discovers they were even there! ![]() This reminds me of the pickpockets who work the streets in certain areas of Moscow. ![]() It gives a picture of a bandit, pickpocket, or thief who is so artful in the way he steals that his exploits of thievery are nearly undetectable. The word “thief” comes from the Greek word klepto, which means to steal. The thief just wants to ruin anything he can get his hands on! He wants to destroy your job, your joy, your happiness, your health, your finances, your marriage, and your kids. According to these words of Jesus, the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy everything good in your life. Jesus said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Rather than simply read it as you’ve read it a thousand times before, let’s dig a little deeper into the Greek words behind this verse to see what we can mine from the treasures of the Greek New Testament! I realize that John 10:10 is a well-known verse to millions of believers around the world, but today I want to give you fresh insight into this powerful scripture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
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