Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. The Bible verses below show what the devil’s works are and how Jesus abolishes them.
1 John 3:8
To this end the Son of God was revealed: that he might destroy the works of the devil.
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What works of the devil did Jesus come to destroy?
Overall, the works of the devil in the Bible encompass a range of evil activities aimed at undermining God’s purposes, leading people astray, and promoting spiritual darkness and death. However, the Bible also affirms the ultimate victory of God over the powers of evil through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Murdering and lying
John 8:44
You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.
Tempting to depart from the will of God
The Bible depicts the devil as a tempter who seeks to lead people into sin and disobedience. In the Gospel accounts, Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness by appealing to his physical desires, pride, and desire for power (Matthew 4; Luke 4). This narrative illustrates the devil’s tactics of enticing individuals to stray from God’s will.
Matthew 4:1-3
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
Enslaving people
Hebrews 2:14-15
Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Taking over God’s creation
John 12:31
Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out.
John 14:30
I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me.
How does Jesus destroy the works of the devil?
By freeing us from sin
Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus atoned for the sins of humanity, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Jesus’ death serves as the ultimate victory over sin, breaking its power and providing a way for humanity to be free from its bondage.
John 8:31-32
Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Romans 6:6
knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin.
Romans 6:22
But now, being made free from sin and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification and the result of eternal life.
By destroying death
Jesus’ resurrection from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion demonstrated His victory over death and the grave. By conquering death, Jesus offers the promise of eternal life to all who believe in Him, overcoming the fear and hopelessness that the devil uses to oppress humanity.
1 Corinthians 15:26
The last enemy that will be abolished is death.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
“Death, where is your sting?
Hades, where is your victory?”The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
By throwing the ruler of this world out
Through His ministry, teachings, and miracles, Jesus demonstrated His authority over the powers of darkness and Satan’s kingdom. The cross finalizes Jesus’ victory over demonic forces and spiritual oppression, revealing His superiority and establishing His reign as the rightful King.
Luke 10:18
He said to them, “I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven.
John 12:31
Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out.
John 16:11
about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.
Revelation 12:10–11
I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ has come; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life, even to death.
Colossians 2:15
Having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
By becoming the King of kings
Romans 14:9
For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Philippians 2:8–11
And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Revelations 19:16
He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Revelations 17:14
These will war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings, and those who are with him are called chosen and faithful.”
Revelations 1:5
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood—
1 Timothy 6:15
which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.
Finally, Jesus will destroy the devil himself
While Jesus has already achieved victory over the works of the devil through His life, death, and resurrection, the ultimate defeat of evil will be fully realized at His second coming, when He will judge the living and the dead and establish His eternal kingdom.
Revelations 20:10
The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are also. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
This article is part of the Why did Jesus come to earth? Series.