The power of darkness is real and compelling. It can promote fear and trepidation in the hearts of most. This is not hyperbole; this is a fact.
Literal physical darkness can be seen in places such as the mountains, or the middle of the ocean during a moonless night. This can reveal a darkness so devoid of light you cannot see the fingers of your hand if you place your hand on your nose.
This type of darkness is what we feared as children when we went to bed at night. Because we believed bad things could happen when the lights were turned off.
Though the uncertainty associated with physical darkness is real. There is another kind of darkness that exists in our world.
This is spiritual darkness. It too can be impossible to see when it is right in front of our faces. This type of darkness, unlike physical darkness, does not disappear when the lights are turned on. In fact, spiritual darkness can grow more intense when we are able to see its results.
Why?
Because spiritual darkness invades the hearts of people as it leads them deeper and deeper into darkness. How does this occur? It occurs by causing us to be unable to see evil when it is standing right in front us. Evil that is real and all-consuming can be raging all around us and we can be blind to both its presence and effects.
This takes place when we associate our feelings and desires with right and wrong.
You see, though darkness is real, it does not have dominion where right and wrong can be defined and seen clearly. This is the reason we are being challenged with the very notion right and wrong exists at all.
How do we recognize this darkness? We do so by exposing it to the light. You see, the “brilliance of light” is the only thing that can drive out the darkness. Just as the truth is the only thing that drive out a lie.
Where do we go to find this light? We go to the source of all truth, the Bible, or the Word of God. “The brilliance of light” in God’s Word is so bright, even those who do not believe it is God-breathed will see through the darkness, should they choose to see for themselves.
Perhaps the difficulty in accepting this truth is as much the fault of the people who believe it as it is the darkness that surrounds those who don’t.
If this is true, then we must find a better way. We must allow “the brilliance of light” we see to be the one we show to others. This is not done by shouting or wagging our fingers. This is done by loving and realizing just how powerful the darkness is to those who have no light in their lives.
If you and I are bearers of “the brilliance of light” because we are Christ Followers, don’t you think we should focus on shining that light into the darkness instead of using it to lead us away from the darkness?
Remember, someone else’s eternity may well hinge on our answer!
John 8:12. “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.”
