Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 KJV
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. Luke 11:33-36 KJV
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalms 119:105 KJV
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Psalms 119:130 KJV
Light occupies a very prominent and important place in the Word of God! It is there from the first recorded utterance of God "Let there be light" in the first chapter of Genesis, to where the " the Lord God giveth them light" in the last chapter of the book of Revelation! Light plays a vital part in the life on this planet physically, and an even more vital part spiritually, in humanity. God is called "the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" His Word is a lamp and a light. Jesus is "the Light of the World" and we are also lights who should shine for Him!
1. WE ARE CALLED TO BE LIGHT AND TO DO WHAT LIGHT DOES BEST, TO ILLUMINATE!
As children of God we are made to shine, not of our own power, but by the Father's enablement. We are referred to as 'light' and 'children of light'!
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. John 12:35-36 KJV
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Ephesians 5:6-14 KJV
As the lights of the world, we are expected to shine. We do not EVER turn off the light. We are to let it shine before men for a reason, that God may be glorified. How can we glorify God? By letting our light shine before men in a particular manner. This allows men to see what the light shines on!
It's so bright in here and so dark out there! Why is the light not shining in the darkness?
When a person enters a house that's in darkness, that person automatically reaches for a light switch, in order to illuminate the area. When Jesus comes into a person's life, He produces light in that life. As we surrender our lives to Him, He lights up every room we open to Him. As we allow Him full access, and enjoy His light, we ourselves become transmitters of that light. In a blackout street, the house with all its window lighted up will draw attention. As children of the light we are transparently illuminating, as living letters, known and read by all men!
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 KJV
2. WE ARE CAUTIONED TO GIVE THE LIGHT THAT IS IN US FREEDOM TO PENETRATE!
If the light in us is to do any good, it must be allowed to penetrate. It will then expose all those dark murky parts of our lives, where the enemy loves to build and nurture his strongholds! As the light is allowed to penetrate, the enemy is forced to flee! He has no choice, for darkness always flees before the Light! Be we MUST allow the light to penetrate unhindered!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:16-21 KJV
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 KJV
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11 KJV
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:5-10 KJV
Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:8-11 KJV
3. WE ARE EXPECTED TO ALLOW LIGHT TO DO WHAT IT ALWAYS DOES TO DARKNESS - TO ERADICATE!
When Light is given unrestricted passage, it will eradicate every darkness in its path!
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Romans 13:12-14 KJV
Beware of those pretending to be light for therein lies the beginning of subtle shadows, devilish deception and faith-destroying darkness!
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 KJV
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV
The single answer to the five questions asked in the above passage is an unequivocal, resounding NO!!!
The light of the Word will stir our conscience and spotlight enemy strongholds! We can then allow the Light to penetrate and eradicate! If instead of responding positively, we try to rationalize, it is the beginning of a cover up. As we continue to make excuses, we actually lend support the stronghold and maybe unintentionally, give it permission to squat and take deeper root. We then continue to add more and more layers to the cover up! Without realizing it, we slowly but surely cover the light, and darkness descends. After the first feeling of discomfort and embarrassment, we pour on more rationale for the thoughts. Our new state subsequently become acceptable, as we gradually become accustomed to less light and more darkness. Soon we are so accustomed to the darkness, that we think darkness is the new light! Any appearance of real light becomes an annoyance, and something to be avoided or attacked.
The idiom "to be in the dark" means to be in a state of ignorance or to not know something. Being "in the dark" can lead to error, blunders and leave us forever stumbling about without a light to show us where the real path is.
If you are left in the dark about something, then you are not given the information or truth that you should have.
So, what is hindering the light in you? What prevents you from obtaining useful God Glorifying revelation?
We should not be unbelieving when it comes to the Word of God, for unbelief blocks its entrance, resulting in darkness. Resistance to, and neglect of God's promises, prevents us from appropriating the light that should be illuminating us.
Every Word of God, like good seed, comes with the power to accomplish what it says! However the Word in the mind is not enough! We hear this word, and many times never let it get pass our mind. It therefore remains static, a potential for light that is never realized, until it is allowed entrance into the heart!
Faith then comes into operation, and throws the switch, bringing wonderful, life giving, life healing, life empowering illumination. The static becomes dynamic, setting into motion the saving, delivering, healing power of God!
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:16-21 KJV
When God takes over, and is enshrined in our lives, night ceases to exist before the all encompassing power of the Everlasting Light!
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. Revelation 21:22-25 KJV
Therefore Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1 KJV
May the light in you not be darkness! May we pay heed to the light until the day dawns. May the Word be rooted and grounded in us so that it produces what it promised!
