John 10:10 says, “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.”

I have been involved with many people over the years who actually believe in a philosophy “everything happens for a reason!”

When their children are in car wrecks, their houses burn down or a family member dies…their statements many times are “everything happens for a reason!” 

Ultimately, God always gets the blame.  These same well-meaning believers also say that God does these bad things to teach us some lesson or to bring a greater humility in our lives. 

I don’t believe it’s God, but if not Him, who else could possibly be behind disastrous things that come into people’s lives?

The Bible gives us a clear definition of two job descriptions, which give us the ability to determine who is responsible for what.  This verse said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.”

The first question that you must come face-to-face with is, who is the “thief”?  If you look in the previous verses, you will find that Satan, the stranger, the wolf; is the thief.  What does the thief do?  He steals, kills and destroys. One who destroys is referred to as a destroyer… Right?

The next question you must ask yourself is, “what does the thief do?” Notice what it said… “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” So, the only reason the thief comes to you, is to “steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” There is no other reason.

Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  This verse means that even when bad things happen to you, God can turn them to good if we look to Him and believe that God’s predestined plan (His Word) will come to pass in our lives. And know this, God’s plan is that you be “conformed to the image of His Son.” In other words, “just to be like Jesus!”

Now, why did Jesus come? That you “may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” This is the job description of Jesus.  Does that sound like destruction? Does that sound like anyone killing or stealing from you? No! It sounds like the abundant blessing and favor of God.

Over the years, the church at large has focused much on how big and bad the devil is.  There have been many sermons preached on the destruction that the devil does to people.  And I’m not denying the fact that there is a devil. 

Second Corinthians 2:11 says, “Lest satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”  And this is a continuation of a previous subject, which is “forgiveness.”  God’s people must choose to walk in forgiveness so that satan cannot TAKE any advantage over us.  We have God’s Word and He warns us about the enemy who only comes to “steal, and to kill, and to destroy.”  And because we have the Word, we do not have to be ignorant of satan’s devices.

Many have forgotten that Jesus came to set us free.  Remember the old song that said, “satan HAD me bound, but Jesus set me free…” Church, it’s a done deal!

First John 3:8 says, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” Jesus did not come to destroy anything in your life. He came or was manifested that “He might destroy the works of the devil.” 

Therefore, “Does everything happens for a reason?” Do all those bad things that happen to good people have any real significance behind them? 

Yes, all those bad things come from the thief, which the Bible calls “the great dragon (who) was cast out, that serpent of old, called the devil and satan, who deceives the whole world…” That same thief hates everything about you.  The devil is the only one behind your destruction.  God is for your good.

There is a God who loves you and He sent His Son whose Name is Jesus.  Jeremiah 29:11 NLT (God says) “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”