DARKNESS MUST FLEE
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10 (NIV)
Have you ever walked through your house with the lights off? You think you know how to maneuver through the room until your toe runs right into a doorframe. As soon as you flip the light switch, the darkness disappears. The position of the furniture doesn't change, and you don't have to take another step in any direction; the light simply changes everything. In a moment, everything that was hidden becomes visible.
Our spiritual lives are much the same. Before we came to know Christ, we lived in darkness, unable to see the fullness of His truth, trying to navigate obstacles and avoid disasters with no direction. But when He brings us into His light, everything changes. In Ephesians, Paul doesn't say we were simply in darkness; he says we were darkness. When we give our lives to Christ, he flips the switch, allowing us to walk in His light. What a beautiful picture of the transformation that takes place when we belong to Jesus!
Although we have been brought into the light, we still have much to learn. As we draw closer to our Heavenly Father and learn more of His character, He continues to reveal places in our hearts that are still shadowed. Our attitudes, desires, words and responses must change. We may discover pride we mistook for confidence, or selfishness behind what we thought were good intentions. When these things are exposed, we have a choice to either make excuses or invite Him to do His transforming work in us. Our pursuit to look like Jesus begins when we recognize that our lives don't reflect His character, and we willingly decide to follow His example. He desires for your life to display goodness, righteousness and truth. Darkness no longer defines you. You now carry His light.
APPLICATION: Is there an attitude, habit or desire that God is asking you to surrender? Instead of making excuses, commit to taking one practical step to change it this week. The goal is not just to shed light on this area, but to become more like Jesus.
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for bringing me out of darkness and into Your light. Give me the humility to receive Your correction and the willingness to respond. Continue to work in me so that my life reflects Your goodness, righteousness and truth. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?