The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest. John 10:10
There’s this belief floating around—that God’s mostly interested in rules. That following Jesus means saying no to joy, freedom, or anything fun. That he’s kind of… a killjoy.
But that’s not what Jesus says. We see in John 10:10 we see that belief flipped on its head.
He didn’t come to limit your life. He came to fill it. To restore it. To give it meaning and joy and purpose.
But this verse also introduces a choice. Because while Jesus came to give life… There’s another voice in the mix. A thief. One who came to steal, kill, and destroy.
So here’s the real question: Whose voice are you listening to? I think this is a question every Christian needs to wrestle with… And that’s what we are going to do in this blog post.
The Context of John 10:10
To understand what Jesus is really saying in this verse we’ve got to look at the bigger conversation it’s part of.
This moment falls in the middle of a larger teaching where Jesus is drawing a sharp contrast between himself, the Good Shepherd, and the false shepherds of Israel. These religious leaders were supposed to care for the people. But instead of leading with love, they used their influence for control and personal gain.
Jesus here is applying the metaphor of the Good Shepherd to himself. And he applies the Jewish leaders to 4 other metaphors… The thief, robber, stranger, and hireling. These don’t represent four different types of Jews. Rather, each of the four show a particular trait that paints a picture of the group as a whole.
Jesus is saying there are the false shepherds, leaders who don’t care for the sheep. Who use people to gain power. Who run when things get hard.
Jesus doesn’t have to name names. Everyone knew who He was talking about. The Pharisees. The religious leaders who had twisted their position into something self-serving. The ones who used broken people to make a point.
Like the lame man at the pool.
The blind man Jesus healed.
The woman caught in adultery.
They weren’t cared for, they were used.
So when Jesus starts talking about thieves who harm the sheep, the picture is clear. This is a warning, not just to the leaders, but to anyone who might be following the wrong voice.
That brings us back to John 10:10. Jesus says there’s a thief. But he also says there’s another way.
What John 10:10 Means
Let’s break this verse into three parts so we can really see what Jesus is saying and how it speaks into our lives right now.
“The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy…”
This isn’t just symbolic. Jesus is describing the actual result of listening to the wrong voice. And sometimes that voice sounds really convincing.
It says things like:
“You do you.”
“Live your truth.”
“Chase what feels good.”
But underneath the surface, that voice has one goal: to steal, kill, and destroy the life God wants for you.
In verse 12, Jesus explains it like this: “The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away.”
They don’t protect. They don’t care. They’re just there for their own benefit. In essence, they are mercenary clergy who feed off the flock. Not at all like the Good Shepherd who gives up his life for the benefit of this sheep.
These voices, whether religious, cultural, or internal, don’t have your best interest in mind. And they will always lead to harm.
But there’s another voice we can listen too.
“But I have come that they may have life…”
This is the shift. Jesus says: While those other voices take… I give.
He’s not just trying to recruit followers.
He’s rescuing sons and daughters.
He’s not in it for what He can get, He gave everything for us.
The Good Shepherd leads with love. He knows your name. He protects, provides, and pursues you. That’s the voice you can trust. One that leads toward life, not away from it.
Jesus ends this verse by adding emphasis.
“…and have it to the fullest.”
Jesus doesn’t stop at life. He promises life to the fullest. That’s not just about someday in heaven. That starts now. Today.
It doesn’t mean life will be easy. But it does mean your life can be full. Full of meaning. Full of peace. Full of joy even when things feel uncertain. Eternal life isn’t just long, it’s rich. And Jesus came to invite you into it. The thief takes. Jesus gives.
Where the world drains you, He fills you. That’s the invitation of John 10:10—abundant life, right now, in Him. The thief takes, but Jesus gives.
Whose Voice Are You Listening To?
So, who’s voice are you listening to? That’s the real question, isn’t it?
John 10:10 isn’t just a theological statement, it’s a daily decision. Jesus is offering us abundant life. But to experience it, we have to listen to His voice… and tune out the imposters.
There are a lot of voices trying to shape your life.
- The voice of culture says, “Do what makes you happy.”
- The voice of shame whispers, “You’re not enough. You’ll never be enough.”
- The voice of comparison tells you, “You’re behind. You’re missing out.”
- Even well-meaning voices around us can pull us toward fear, pressure, and burnout.
These voices might sound reasonable; even comforting at times. But they don’t lead to life. Not real life. Like drinking salt water, they seem satisfying for a moment, but only leave us thirstier and more hollow than before.
That’s what the thief does: he distorts good desires, hijacks your attention, and pulls you away from the One who actually knows you, loves you, and wants the best for you. Jesus is offering something different. But you’ve got to listen for His voice. And follow it.
If you’re wondering how to tune into Jesus’ voice and quiet all the others, try this:
1. Re-read John 10:1–18
Take 10 minutes today. Sit with the passage. Ask: What does this show me about who Jesus really is?
2. Write down one dominant thought
What’s been taking up mental space lately?
A fear? A desire? A lie?
Ask yourself: Is this the voice of the Shepherd or something else?
3. Take one small step
Maybe that’s a social media break.
Maybe it’s replacing one podcast with prayer.
Maybe it’s calling someone who always speaks life into you.
Whatever it is, do it today.
You were made for more than survival. You were made for life to the fullest. But that life starts by listening to the right voice. So again, whose voice are you listening to?
Jesus came to give you more than survival. More than religion. More than pressure to perform. He came to give you life. Full, rich, eternal life. But you’ve got to decide which voice you’ll follow.
