For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

1Jo 3:8\tHe who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

From the beginning, the devil has worked to corrupt God's creation. Paul says this of one he met along his way as he preached the gospel...

Act 13:10\tand said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, [you] son of the devil, [you] enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?

What is the work of the devil?

As I begin this thread...here is another thought to meditate on...

1Jo 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

John writes..."For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,"

The revelation of the Son of God destroys the works of the devil.

How have we come to understand this precept in our own lives?

It would be great I guess, if there was no battle and no fight that we needed to be engaged in, but that is not reality, is it?

As I see it there are three parts to the battle. The first is the battle being waged by Satan for all the lost. The second part is the work to deceive those who have repented and are born of God. The third part is that once we understand Satan's ways we are enabled to fight for the lost souls and for our brothers and sisters.

John writes...

1Jo 2:12 I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.

1Jo 2:14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him [who is] from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

This is an example of those who grow in knoledge and understanding of the word of God.

Notice, the quality of the young man...

"I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one."

And we know this according to the Scriptures...

Hbr 5:13 For everyone who partakes [only] of milk [is] unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

Hbr 5:14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, [that is], those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The things I plan on covering may cause offense to those who have not by "reason of use" had "their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Therefore I hope that the Scriptures that I post will be a sufficient commentary of themselves. I trust in the word of God only.

Satans works are; take away all that is of God coming down from the Father of light, all that is good, is the deceivers work to destroy and bring into his work, which is against all that God is, especially the children of God in Christ Jesus.

John 8:42-45 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. ((((((Ye are of your father the devil,))))) and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

Only Christ can set us free. John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Satan work is to deceive and take away by lying, the freedom God the Father has birthed in us by His Son.

In Christ, free indeed: Phillip

Besides, he's been here since 2003 - he has some seniority. :)

I can only share, what and where I have been in Scripture. In terms of seniority I am almost 15 years old in the Lord. That is why my name is rookie. Please do not put your trust in me but only search the Scriptures.

The question before all of us is, do we choose to hear? I have experienced heavy burdens and struggles in my spirit when I have chosen not to believe the word of God. The only way to find relief is to believe. And often times I also am then blessed by submitting to the truth. That is when one comes to understand: that in one's flesh their is nothing to boast about. For it all comes from God through the Holy Spirit which impart Christ's life unto us.

This is going to be slow with many small points along the way. And I am sure and look forward in hope to see "iron sharpening iron" and see the fruit that is promised to those who by reason of use, have their senses sharpened, to discern what is evil and what is good.

Eph 4:13\ttill we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

For the Scriptures warn...

Pro 1:22\t"How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.

Pro 1:23\tTurn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

Eph 4:14\tthat we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested...

Jesus said this of Himself...

Jhn 8:12\tThen Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

Jesus had just told the woman to "sin no more." He then reveals the only way in which man may fulfill this demand upon his life.

Jesus declares that man may live in two realms. The first realm is to walk in darkness. The second realm is to walk in the direction of light. If one chooses to follow the light one will not walk in darkness but instead discover the light of life.

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,

John wrote this of Jesus...

Jhn 1:1\tIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Jhn 1:2\tHe was in the beginning with God.

Jhn 1:3\tAll things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

Jhn 1:4\tIn Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

Jhn 1:9\tThat was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. [fn]

The life is the light of men...and all things made are made through Him. That includes our faith.

Have we known "the Life" or is it just a story of someone who lived 2000 years ago?

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,

and the life was the light of men.

Paul explains to us that this life consists of...

1Cr 1:30\tBut of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--

In another place Paul writes of the same life...

Rom 1:16\tFor I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, [fn] for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

The substance of the Life which is the light of men is that it is good news. Wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption is dependent on the power of God. The substance of this "life" becomes salvation for the Jews and gentiles.

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested...

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,

Rom 1:16\tFor I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, [fn] for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Paul continues to speak of the "power of God to salvation"...

Rom 1:17\tFor in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." [fn]

The gospel of Christ and the power of God are not separate distinct ideas. The gospel of Christ is the result of the power of God enabling men to find salvation. "For in it", that is "salvation" comes to man as "the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith..."

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested

Rom 1:17\tFor in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." [fn]

Paul writes about faith in this way...

Rom 10:17\tSo then faith [comes] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The righteousness of God is revealed to those "by hearing." Paul writes that one who lives by faith will hear the word of God. And that hearing will be a continuous experience. One will live faith to faith. Salvation is the sum of revelation through hearing the word of God.

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested

Rom 1:17\tFor in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." [fn]

This work of God reminds me of this Scripture...

Pro 4:18\tBut the path of the just [is] like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

Those who walk in the paths of the Lord will find the increase that comes from God. He alone can lift our countenance toward heaven.

Psa 119:102\tI have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me.

Psa 119:103\tHow sweet are Your words to my taste, [Sweeter] than honey to my mouth!

Psa 119:104\tThrough Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

Psa 119:105\tNUN. Your word [is] a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Psa 119:129\tPE. Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them.

Psa 119:130\tThe entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

Psa 119:131\tI opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments.

Psa 119:132\tLook upon me and be merciful to me, As Your custom [is] toward those who love Your name.

Psa 119:133\tDirect my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.

What is the "substance" this man hoped for?

Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

What is the "substance" this man hoped for?

Hbr 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

"The substance of things hoped for" can be identified in the life of the believer as well as the life of a nonbeliever. The believer walks in the light and the nonbeliever walks in darkness.

Those who walk in the light will experience according to what Paul wrote, "Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith;..."

The righteousness of God is revealed to those who believe. We have this testimony of one who did believe...

Psa 119:102 I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me.

Psa 119:103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, [Sweeter] than honey to my mouth!

Psa 119:104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

Psa 119:105 NUN. Your word [is] a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

The man who wrote the words above, what is the "substance of the things hoped for" in his testimony? What "turned him on?"

Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Paul write this to the Corinthian church...

1Cr 2:1\tAnd I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony [fn] of God.

1Cr 2:4\tAnd my speech and my preaching [were] not with persuasive words of human [fn] wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

1Cr 2:5\tthat your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Paul points to the fact that many rely on the wisdom of men.
Paul makes this distinction between human wisdom and the true means by which man is saved...

Our faith must be a product of the power of God.

Paul writes of this distinction...

1Cr 1:30\tBut of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--

1Cr 1:31\tthat, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." [fn]

Then, whenever Paul refers to the OT scriptures one should seek to understand more fully why he submitted this for thought....

Jer 9:23\tThus says the LORD: "Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty [man] glory in his might, Nor let the rich [man] glory in his riches;

Jer 9:24\tBut let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I [am] the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.

But many in that generation did not find this in their lives...

"That he understands and knows Me,"

Jer 9:12\tWho [is] the wise man who may understand this? And [who is he] to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it? Why does the land perish [and] burn up like a wilderness, so that no one can pass through?

Jer 9:13\tAnd the LORD said, "Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice, nor walked according to it,

Listen carefully..."and have not obeyed My voice, nor walked according to it...

The "substance of the things hoped for" were not based on His "voice."

Jer 9:23\tThus says the LORD: "Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty [man] glory in his might, Nor let the rich [man] glory in his riches;

Jer 9:24\tBut let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I [am] the LORD,

"But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me..."

I am currently reading a book written by Ron Paul, Liberty Defined. Paul has chosen 50 different topics to write on which reveals his thoughts about liberty.

As I read of his thoughts and contemplate on his perception of American life, I am given insight into a man's life. I begin to see what he considers truth. I begin to see what motivates him. I begin to see what he hates. I begin to see how he has come to cherish liberty. I begin to understand him by what he has written.

As I reflect on Paul's book and its' content, I am given a more intimate insight into what makes this man tick. In the same way God has given us the Holy Scriptures. The Scriptures are given to us so that we might begin to understand God and His creation.

Yet as I reflect on Ron Paul's book, I really don't know him because of what is written. For me to know Ron Paul, is different from me understanding Ron Paul. To know Paul requires that I speak and listen to him in close proximity. To know him requires that we share our personal thoughts with one another. To know Ron Paul requires that I travel along with him time after time, sharing the good times and the hard times.

One must make this distinction between a book written by Ron Paul and the Holy Scriptures written by the Holy Spirit.
Reading a book written by a man such as Ron Paul, one would find that there is bound to be "inconsistencies" between what Paul has written and how one has come to know him through the process of time. However, one will never find "inconsistencies" between what God has written and how one has come "to know" God through the process of time.

So as there is only one way "to know" a man like Ron Paul, there is only one way "to know" God. God has given His Holy Spirit to men so that men might listen to Him. God has given His Holy Spirit to men so that men might walk in light of His revelation.

Jer 9:24\tBut let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I [am] the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.

How many are like those whom this Scripture speaks of...

Jer 9:13\tAnd the LORD said, "Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice, nor walked according to it,

Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Jer 9:24\tBut let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I [am] the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.

Paul and Jeremiah write of the same precept. The Lord reveals lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness in the earth. And the Lord delights in those who glory in the Lord. Solomon writes of the revelation of the Lord...

Pro 8:17\tI love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.

Pro 8:18\tRiches and honor [are] with me, Enduring riches and righteousness.

Pro 8:19\tMy fruit [is] better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver.

Pro 8:20\tI traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,

Pro 8:21\tThat I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.

Pro 8:22\t"The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.

Pro 8:23\tI have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.

Pro 8:24\tWhen [there were] no depths I was brought forth, When [there were] no fountains abounding with water.

Pro 8:25\tBefore the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth;

Pro 8:26\tWhile as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primal dust of the world.

Pro 8:27\tWhen He prepared the heavens, I [was] there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,

Pro 8:28\tWhen He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,

Pro 8:29\tWhen He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth,

Pro 8:30\tThen I was beside Him [as] a master craftsman; [fn] And I was daily [His] delight, Rejoicing always before Him,

Pro 8:31\tRejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight [was] with the sons of men.

Pro 8:32\t"Now therefore, listen to me, [my] children, For blessed [are those who] keep my ways.

Pro 8:33\tHear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain [it].

Pro 8:34\tBlessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.

Pro 8:35\tFor whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD;

Like Jeremiah who wrote"For in these I delight," so Solomon wrote, "And my delight [was] with the sons of men."

These are those who know the "master craftsman."