1 John 3:8

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

[But] the person who continues to live a sinful life belongs to the devil, because the devil has continued to sin since the beginning [See Gen. 3]. For this is the reason that the Son of God came [into the world]; it was to destroy the works [i.e., the influence of] the devil [in people’s lives].

Cross References

Hebrews 2:14

Therefore, since the children share in [bodies of] flesh and blood, Christ also, in the same way, took on a human body so that, through His death, He could destroy [the dominion of] him who had the power to cause death, that is, the devil.

John 8:44

You belong to your father the devil, and you are [always] wanting to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the [very] beginning [Note: This is probably a reference to Satan’s influence on Adam, Eve and Cain in the Garden of Eden] and does not stand for the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he only speaks what is part of his nature, because he is a liar and the father of [all] liars.

Colossians 2:15

[In doing this] Christ disarmed the rulers and authorities [i.e., evil forces] and made a public display of them, triumphing over them through the cross. [Note: This could possibly be rendered “God triumphed over them through Christ”].

Romans 16:20

And the God, who brings peace, will soon crush Satan under your feet [i.e., bring an end to the divisive work of the false teachers there]. May the unearned favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you [people].

John 16:11

[And it will be shown] judgment, because the ruler of this world [i.e., Satan. See 12:31] has been condemned [i.e., by Jesus’ death and resurrection].

John 12:31

Judgment is now coming to this world; the prince of this world [i.e., Satan] will now be driven out.

2 Peter 2:4

For if God did not spare sinning angels, but cast them in chains into deep, dark dungeons to await judgment;

Mark 1:24

“What business do we have with you, Jesus from Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are; [you are] God’s Holy One.”

Ephesians 2:2

You practiced such things when you lived according to the evil ways of this world, and according to the ruler of the [spiritual] powers of the air. [Note: This refers to Satan, whose influence permeates life around us]. He is the [evil] spirit who is now at work in people who are disobedient [to God].

Luke 10:18

And Jesus said to them, “I saw Satan falling from heaven as lightning.

1 John 3:10

Here is how the children of God and the children of the devil can be recognized: All those who do not continue to do what is right do not belong to God. Also, the person who does not continue to love his brother [or sister does not belong to God].

Matthew 13:38

and the field [represents] the world. The good seed [represents] the children who belong to the kingdom, and the weeds [represent] the children who belong to the evil one [i.e., the devil].

Revelation 20:10

And the devil that [had] deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire, [burning] with sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet also are. [See 19:20]. And [there] these [enemies of God] will be tortured day and night forever and ever.

1 John 5:19

We [also] know that we are [children] of God and that the people of the whole world lie under [the control of] the evil one [i.e., Satan].

1 John 3:5

But, you [should] know that Christ appeared [on earth] to take away [our] sins, and that there is no sin in His life [See II Cor. 5:21].

Revelation 20:15

And if any person’s [name] was not found recorded in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Jude 1:6

And angels, who did not remain within [the bounds of] their proper authority, but left their own realm, God has kept in perpetual bondage, under [thick] darkness, awaiting judgment on the Great Day [when they will be punished].

Matthew 4:3

The tempter [i.e., the devil] came and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to turn into bread.”

Matthew 12:28

But if I drive out evil spirits by [the power of] the Holy Spirit, then [that is evidence that] the kingdom of God has come into your midst [i.e., by my presence and ministry].

1 Timothy 3:16

And without question the revealed secret of godly living is great. [It is this]: He [i.e., Christ, or God], who appeared in a fleshly body [was] vindicated [of false charges] by the Holy Spirit; [He was] seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed in throughout the world [and finally] was taken up into glory [i.e., heaven].

Hebrews 9:26

For then He would have had to suffer often since the creation of the world; but now at the end of the ages [i.e., the final period of world history] He has been revealed once [for all] to remove sin by sacrificing Himself.

1 John 1:2

Truly, this “Life” was made known to us and we have [actually] seen it [i.e., Him], and so we testify and proclaim to you [that He is] “the Eternal Life,” who was with the Father and was made known to us [apostles].