And this is the condemnation, that light (Jesus) is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:19
Darkness – Worldliness, no victory over circumstances, unforgiveness, unhealthy oaths and vows, resentment, bitterness, fear, alcohol and drug addiction, torment and oppression, competition, worry, anxiety, lust, coveting, jealousy, tension, strife, hate, anger, carrying all your burdens by yourself, financial stress, marital tension, uncertainty about the future, treating those outside your immediate family better than those in your own household.
Light – Peace (letting the peace of God rule in my heart), rest, God’s love in my heart, loving my neighbor as myself, quickly forgiving others, discernment, recognizing cause and effects of sin, mercy, grace, discovering that you can cast all your burdens on Christ, joy, God is working all things together for your good (this is the victory over the world and its circumstances), being able to renew your mind to God’s Word, being able to discern the spirits behind thoughts, taking thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, knowing Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you.
How do we break away from evil, from the darkness all around us?
They loved the darkness more than the light. Wow, I was living in a lot of darkness even though I was a “Christian” going to church. In fact, I’d have to say that because I was not willing to escape darkness that I loved it more than the light. Peer pressure and the fear of man kept me from ever straying too far from the darkness.
I have to say that I did not know how to escape darkness. I mean so many of my friends and fellow Christians were practicing darkness with their speech and thought life that I didn’t even know anyone could truly escape the darkness. And because I wanted to be accepted by them I wasn’t going to do anything that would make me appear different from them. Even my Christian parents (and most of my relatives) talked about the Bible and Jesus, but so much of their everyday life was full of worry, and other darkness traits that I thought it must be okay to be a Christian and to not be set free in Jesus at the same time. I was really confused…
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
1 Peter 3:15
What’s the hope in me? Not religion, but Jesus Christ, Himself. He’s teaching me how to escape the darkness and leading me from glory to glory (from light to more light) into His marvelous light so I can live free from every burden.
I (Jesus) have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
John 12:46
No longer do we need to live in the darkness.
“Jesus, show me the way out of the darkness. I want You more than anything else. Thank You, Jesus.”
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for (Because), behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour (Jesus), which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11
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 (Saved from the darkness and into His marvelous light).
John 3:16-17
Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy – Freedom from the darkness and the pure heavenly joy of living in the light of the world, Jesus.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
Ephesians 6:10
Jesus calls to us, “Come, follow Me for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
The only question that remains is, “Do I love the darkness more than the light? Will I say “No” to Jesus and stay trapped in the darkness?”
God bless,
Mark