We have a candle on the counter in our upstairs bathroom that I like to light from time to time if I’m working up there. It’s a small, one-wick candle that doesn’t illuminate the whole bathroom, but only what is close by, like the sink and a hand towel. If I were to add more candles, or a larger candle with more wicks, I know it would illuminate even brighter to the point of possibly eliminating all darkness from the room.
Recently I started studying the book of Genesis in my personal Bible study time. This study will last almost a year, which might sound daunting or even boring, but I’ve experienced the benefits that come from slow, intentional Bible study and I plan on following through. My hope is that it will be rich and deep and draw me closer to God as He opens my mind to new revelations about Himself and His good purposes.
On my walk today I was meditating on Genesis 1:3-5, which is the historical account of God’s creation of light. Verse 4 says, “And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.” God brought light into something that was dark. He brought something good into the darkness. He created light to be separate from darkness. They don’t join together. They don’t blend. They are completely separate from each other.
The beginning of John’s gospel is almost an extension of this creation account:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 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 1:1-5
This text tells us Jesus is the light of humanity. Jesus is the goodness brought into darkness. Light (Jesus, holiness, goodness, righteousness) shines in darkness. Darkness does not overcome it.
Eliminating darkness from our lives
On this Halloween day, I think about the darkness in our lives. There’s the obvious things like scary movies, violent video games, and demonic characters and costumes that seem to be everywhere. But there’s also the things kept hidden.
We are a materialistic culture obsessed with violence, lust, tragedy, and horror. How do we, as Christians, bring light into this dark world that often feels like the darkness has overcome the light?
I think it starts with examining ourselves. We can ask ourselves:
- What darkness in my life do I need to bring light into?
- What sin do I need to repent of and separate myself from?
- What battle with temptation or lingering sin can Jesus help me overcome?
- What parts of my life am I not letting Jesus–the Light of the World–into?
- What am I replacing Him with?
Maybe I’m spending too much time on social media and not enough time investing in personal relationships. Maybe I’m putting my hope into a political candidate or party and not trusting the Sovereign Lord to determine the outcome for His good purposes. Maybe I’m consuming content that is pornographic or violent in nature rather than filling my head with things that are true, honorable, pure, lovely, or worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). Maybe I’m spending money irresponsibly rather than trusting God to provide for my true needs. Maybe I’m holding a grudge rather than expressing forgiveness. Maybe I’m putting a little too much adoration in someone who is not Jesus (or my spouse). Maybe I’m frequently lashing out on my kids in anger. Or maybe I’m doing or facing something else that I know is not something God wants for me.
Temptation itself is not a sin, but when not addressed, it can lead to sin.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
James 1:13-15
Because God cares for us, He has given us weapons for our spiritual warfare and battles against darkness. He knew we would need them. We can use them to fight temptation and prevent ourselves from going down a sinful spiral. These weapons are given to us in the following scripture, known as The Whole Armor of God:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:10-18
We can fight off our temptations by eliminating the threat (for example, if social media is tempting you toward sin, set up appropriate boundaries), through the renewing of our minds, and by remembering God’s faithfulness. We can store up God’s word in our hearts so we don’t sin against Him (Psalm 119:11). We can bring an end to our idolatry by committing to absolute worship of the God of the universe through being in His Word daily, being constant in prayer to Him, and being connected to a local church body of believers with faithful Bible teaching. When we bring light (Jesus) into our own darkness, we can take that light into the darkness of the world.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Matthew 5:14
By devoting ourselves to Jesus over all darkness that tries to creep into our lives, we can keep the light separate from the darkness, just as God created it.
All scripture references are from the English Standard Version, unless otherwise noted.
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Anna Moore 
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