Giving Honor (John 10:10)

John 10:10 says, "... the thief only comes to steal; and to kill; and to destroy..."

DEVIL'S PURPOSE

Keeping in mind that these statements are not only related, and emphasize similar concepts, but culminate in increasing intensity and purpose, demonstrating the strategy of the devil; the challenge, as always, is to try to communicate accurately not only the literal meaning of the words from the Greek text, but to successfully convey the picturesque cultural and practical thought intended. First, the devil's purpose, is, by any means necessary, to defraud us of what rightfully belongs to us, primarily through ignorance and fear. If he can keep us in the dark regarding our inheritance, or suspicious of those that proclaim the truth of the revelation of who we are in Christ, and who He is in us, then he has accomplished his intent and can move on to the next phase of his plan for our lives.

KILL

The KJV, and other translations, render the Greek word (thuo) as "kill". Though this could be acceptable as a very general meaning of the word, specifically, it conjures up images that, to most of us, tend to create a visual picture that actually detracts from the intended meaning of the word. This prime verb actually came from the idea of 'rushing or swirling smoke and spoke of the sacrificial animal offerings, and the smoke that came up from them as they were consumed in fire'. In fact, of the 28 instances of the noun (thysia), in the NT, 15 are found in Hebrews, speaking directly of 'the sacrificial offering', contrasting the old and new covenant. The original use of the word was not just of any burnt sacrifice, but it referred pointedly, to 'the first fruits animal and fragrant burnt offerings'.

FIRST FRUITS OFFERING

Though the teaching on first fruits has been discussed quite extensively in these word studies, it was amazing to find the concept showing up in this seemingly unrelated passage, with no apparent connection to any discussion regarding the first fruits. In ancient culture, conquering warriors would celebrate with a feast, their victorious triumph over their enemy, and from the spoils of war, they would sacrifice to God, or the gods they worshipped, the first fruits of the spoil, in recognition and honor of their gods that brought them deliverance and success in battle. Strongly associated with this first fruits offering, is this imagery of celebration and rejoicing in triumph over the victory accomplished. Part of this first fruits offering would be the burning of perfumes or fragrances, or incense, to supposedly make it a sweet smelling, pleasing sacrifice to the gods.

CLASSIC LITERATURE

In classic literature there is found the poetic quote:

 "The first oblations[i.e., the first fruits] to the immortals due, Amid the flames his friend Patrocles threw."

Another quote from classic Greek literature states, "...he offered first offerings, or firstlings, in sacrifice to the gods."

It became a "custom" or regular practice, to not only offer sacrifices of first fruits to the gods, in honor of victory they had wrought, but it also became a general acknowledgement, to the gods, after journeys, that they had caused the travelers to return home safely. In addition, sacrificial offerings of first fruits were made for anticipated success. It was a natural progression for these first fruit offerings to come to be included in celebrations at weddings or festive events, in expectation of prosperous marriages and securing blessing on the outcomes of future plans.

SACRIFICIAL OFFERING

What is key to the historical record, is the fact that all these first fruit offerings ascribed honor to the gods for victories won or honor for those future expected successes. Generally, the word came to mean killing of the sacrificial animal, in offering to God, or the gods. What is interesting in the John 10:10 passage, is the use of this term in context. In the context, we are the sheep, and the devil, after he has robbed from us our rightful inheritance, makes our lives a sacrificial offering of first fruits to him, of what he has accomplished. In other words, we become a demonstration of his "creative" work, as twisted and deformed as it may be. Rather than our lives being an honor to God, our Father, we become a testimony of the devils destructive influences in this world. We are destined for greatness, and bear the image of our Father, and it is imperative that we fulfill our destiny, and not allow the thief to steal from us or distort our lives into honoring him, but rather, as our intended purpose, we become a praise to our Father, in the earth.

GIVING HONOR

By way of irony, it is tragic that we sometimes, inadvertently, ascribe the works of the devil [sickness; disease; loss in our lives; tragedies and even death, which the scriptures call an enemy], to God, our Father, and boast in our promotions; financial successes; physical accomplishments, as though our Father was uninvolved in any of our achievements which He has enabled us to enjoy. If any earthly father would rejoice in the his children's victories, how much more does our heavenly Father. Let us give honor where honor is due, not allowing our lives to glorify the devil, even by default, but to constantly and consistently give honor to our Father.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours