SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1352

“Light”

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. – Genesis 1:3

Light. We seek it. We desire it. The first thing we do when walking into a dark room is flip the light switch on.

Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. – John 8:12

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. – John 1:4-5

Light gives clarity. We see obstacles and stumbling blocks in our well-lit path. Light keeps us from stumbling.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105

For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God     in the light of life. – Psalm 56:13

Light makes us feel safe. Dark alleys are to be avoided. We tend to remain in well-lit areas. We are attracted to the light.

I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. – John 12:46

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” – John 12:32

Beware of Counterfeit Light. Bug zappers emit an attractive light with deadly consequences. Angler fish do the same. The enemy seeks to appeal to our flesh with a false light. He twists the Word of God to us to appeal to the lust of our flesh. Through the Truth of the Word of God revealed to us by His Holy Spirit, we can discern what is counterfeit and avoid it.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6

Shadowy Light. The light of Christ in our hearts is grayed out when we live a compromised Christian life. Allowing some ‘darkness’ by keeping one foot in the world and the other on the path of following Jesus dims the light in us and makes us susceptible to the false light of the enemy. It also makes others (spouse, children, neighbors, etc.) susceptible to stumbling because of our compromised example.

The Greek word for darkness is ‘skotos’ (shadiness, obscurity, darkness) from which we derive our word ‘scotoma’ meaning a blind spot giving impaired vision. Spiritual scotomas cause us and others to stumble.

But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him. – John 11:10

Therefore, let us…rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. – Romans 14:13

Therefore, be careful lest the light in you be darkness. – Luke 11:35

The Light of Christ is in us. The Greek word for ‘light’ is ‘phos’ meaning luminousness, fire, and light. Our word ‘phosphorescence’ meaning emitted light is derived from ‘phos’. Our life walk, in example and speech is to emit the unblemished, pure light of Christ in us.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:14,16

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world – Philippians 2:14-15

May the pure light of Christ light your path and keep you sure-footed.

May His light shine through you dispelling the darkness of the world.

May it expose the false light of the enemy.

May the light of Christ in you draw others to receive salvation through Jesus.