Breaking the Cycle

Are you letting the Enemy—the thief that is Satan—trick you into compromising on the abundant life found in God?

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
(John 10:10)

Have you ever had something stolen from you? That feeling of violation when someone crosses an invisible boundary can stir up strong emotions. I remember the day our car was broken into. It was an ordinary day, and we had parked in a familiar spot, thinking nothing of it. But when we returned, the sight of shattered glass and an empty interior hit me like a wave. It felt like a violation, a reminder of how quickly things can change.

While outright stealing such as breaking into a car is easy to recognize and condemn, there are subtler forms of theft that have become ingrained in our daily lives. Small actions, such as taking tools from the job site, sneaking office supplies, or “borrowing” something with no intention of returning it, may seem harmless or even justified in some cases. But over time, these small acts begin to erode our integrity. They chip away at our relationship with God because when we take what doesn’t belong to us, no matter how small, we’re not living out the integrity He calls us to.

John 10:10 makes this clear: “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; but I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The ultimate thief is Satan—his goal is to steal from us, and his strategy often starts with small, seemingly insignificant compromises. But these small acts of theft can lead to much bigger consequences, stealing our peace, joy, and relationship with God. Jesus, on the other hand, came to give us life—life that is full, rich, and abundant. The more we live in alignment with His integrity, the more we step into that fullness of life.

The key to breaking the cycle of theft—through the Enemy’s thievery and your own actions—is realizing what you have in Christ. When you grasp the fullness of what you possess in Him—His love, grace, and provision—you’ll begin to live as a giver. This mindset shift changes everything, moving us from a place of scarcity and selfishness to one of generosity and abundance. Instead of taking, we start reflecting the heart of Christ, living with open hands and a heart ready to bless others.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the abundant life You offer us through Jesus. Help us to recognize the small compromises that can steal our peace, integrity, and relationship with You. We ask for Your strength to live with open hands and a generous heart, reflecting Your love in all we do. Teach us to trust in Your provision, knowing that we have all we need in You. Guard our hearts from the enemy’s schemes, and guide us to live with integrity and honor, bringing glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Listen to the sermon: Thou Shalt Not Steal

Part 1Part 2

Ministry Update from Mark

In March, Moody Bible Institute hosted the Levántate Men’s Conference, where approximately 1,200 Latino men from Chicago and the surrounding cities gathered. This one-day event challenged the men to rise up and boldly pursue God’s purpose in their lives—whether it be in their families, work, service, or relationships within their communities. God encountered these men in a powerful way, and now that it’s been a few months, I ask you to join me in praying that their faith and passion for the gospel would still remain strong as they seek to make an impact for Christ in Chicago.