“For this purpose the son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil” 1 John 3:8
When Jesus came to earth he was invading the Kingdom of darkness and establishing a beachhead of the Kingdom of God on earth and that’s why you see much of Jesus ministry was the destroying of devils Kingdom through healing, preaching and the casting out of demons. There was a clash of the Kingdom of darkness and the Kingdom of light. The incredible thing he gave His authority to the church to carry on with the same ministry, to set free spiritual hostages.
In Rick Renner’s book Sparkling gems from the creek he gives an expanded Greek translation of the verse which is very enlightening.
It goes like this
‘For this purpose the son of God was manifested that he might untie people from all the works of the devil unravelling Satan’s hold on them – until the devils work in people’s lives are utterly destroyed and his hostages are set free”
Wow I love that. The question are we busy with the Kings Business of setting people free. This was Jesus purpose and so it should be our purpose. It was His concern so should be our concern. So many people are locked up and caged in the minds and in bondage to many addictions. God wants us and to use you and me to bring his delivering power to see the captives set free. How are we measuring up?