Tag: Dark

Immoral is in the Dark

“5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” – Ephesians 5:5 (ESV)

The above verse is where I was led this morning in my study of the word “immoral”. I see again the use of immoral in the sexual context, but I also see more of the same definition as noted before that immoral is wicked / bad. I have taken on that as my substitute for the word to define for myself what immorality is.

“6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not become partners with them; 8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14for anything that becomes visible is light.” – Ephesians 5:6-14a (ESV)

Now to the passage and my learning from it. The passage in my ESV Bible is titled, “Walk in Love”. I would add “Light” to that as well after reading and seeing more. We are to be the and in the light. Evil parades around in darkness. It is shrouded in secret. It is hidden behind closed doors. It is where things are not known to everyone, that is in the beginning. Immorality is in the dark.

As we review the passage above and the full passage of Ephesians 5:1-21 we see that walking in love as Christ is also walking in the light for all to see. It is here that people see your actions on display. We should be on display for the world to see as followers and imitators of Christ. We want the world to be exposed to His glory and the salvation that comes with knowing and submitting to Him.

Yes, we do have a right to privacy and intimacy within our home. I for one enjoy and look forward to spending that quality time with Lori that is devoted to just the two of us. Yet, when it is not just the two of us in our private time, we are to expose ourselves to the world to see. We are to show the world Christ, who is in us. We are give ourselves to the spreading of the Gospel and ensuring that the LORD is on full display in our lives.

See in verse 8 above that we are now “light in the Lord” and we are to “Walk as children of light”. This means to me that I have to stay out of the darkness for that is where wicked/bad or immoral resides. I have to be the light and stay out of the darkness. Yes, there is something to say about bringing light to the darkness, but that is a topic for another time. It is better for me to keep my light there for all to see and stay out of the darkness to have the best chance and keeping away from the immoral or wicked/bad that resides there.

What is your take on darkness? Are you comfortable there where the wicked/bad or immoral reside? What if you were to stay out of the darkness and be in the light what/where you are called to be as a follower of Christ?

Invite in and Allow the LORD to Search Your Heart

Let’s face it, as sinners internally, we can be a very dark place. I know that over the past couple days, I have been in a dark place and needed the LORD’s message to me this morning. I know that He wants to commune with me and where I have prayed and spoken with Him, I am not sure that my heart was in it over the past couple days.

“23Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

24And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!”

— Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)

But even as it has been dark, by my prayer, invitation to, and allowing the LORD in my heart, He finds the good and leads me out of the darkness.

It is easy to find yourself in darkness as this world is certainly filled with it. Yet, there is the way out and that is in the company of the LORD. He will be with us at all times and will provide all that we need, even if that need in the moment is just a little light.

“14You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In 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 (ESV)

You see, the light is in you and me. It is just hidden under a basket that may feel to heavy to move. But with the LORD in our lives, we allow Him to do the heavy lifting and exposing the light for us to lean on. We are to let our light shine for all to see, yet we may need God to help us lift that basket off so that it can shine for us and the world.

I know that even as I have been in this dark place the past couple of days, the LORD will dwell in me and lift the basket to reveal His light in my life. He never promised that it would be easy and that there would not be difficulty, but He does promise to provide for and care for us and that starts with His light shining in us. We only need to invite Him into our heart and allow him to expose it.

What are you facing that you need light? Are you searching for the light all on your own? What if you invited the LORD in and allowed Him to dwell inside you and expose the light that He put there for you?