It is early morning as I write this blog. Darkness covers the land. I have to depend on artificial light to dispel the darkness and show me the way. I might be able to fumble around, ever so carefully, because I am familiar with my surroundings. However, if I were to step outside into the darkness, I would have to be extremely cautious or else I might trip over something, or run into something that would cause injury to me or others. I need the light.

There is an even greater source of light that I need even more desperately than the physical light of the sun or other sources of artificial light. In a world filled with spiritual darkness, I stand in need of spiritual light; a light that will show me the way through the morass of chaos and confusion caused by the darkness.

Darkness is dangerous. I might be standing on the very edge of a precipice overhanging a gorge hundreds, or even thousands, of feet deep. One step forward and I would plunge to a certain death. Darkness conceals the danger, whereas light would dispel the darkness and reveal the dangers of the situation. I desperately need the light.

In a world filled with deep, impenetrable darkness, where are we to turn for light to guide the way? The Bible gives the answer:

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of the world.”

John 8:12

It could not be clearer: Jesus is the light of the world, and those who follow Him will not be confused by, or overtaken by, or even destroyed by, the darkness of the world. However, this leaves us with a bit of a problem: Jesus is not physically with us. We cannot see Him, nor can we hear His voice. So, how are we to follow Him?

Again, the Bible reveals the answer:

“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.”

Psalm 119:105

The word of God is the light we desperately need to guide us safely through the darkness of the world, which is so pervasive and persuasive that many are caught up in its throes while being completely unaware of its presence. Allow me to explain what I mean.

First, let’s focus our attention on the pervasiveness of the darkness. Pervasiveness is defined as “the quality of spreading widely or being present throughout an area or a group of people.” We can think of this in several different ways: the pervasiveness of philosophical thought, the pervasiveness of theological thought, the pervasiveness of scientific thought, or any other system of thought that does not have God as its central, foundational focal point. When God is left out, then we subject ourselves to the thoughts and imaginations of man, which leads to the embracing of darkness rather than light.

Next, let’s think about the persuasiveness of darkness. Once darkness is embraced, we open ourselves to the deception of darkness. We embrace ideas, philosophies, theologies that strive to give explanation to the perplexities and uncertainties of life without the foundation of the light of God’s word. The danger of embracing the darkness of the world is revealed by Jesus:

“This, then, is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

John 3:19-21

Those who choose to reject Jesus, and the teachings of His word, will find themselves engulfed in and controlled by the darkness. Please note that I am not here speaking of individuals who live wicked lives. I am speaking of those who embrace the philosophies and theologies and scientific theories which do not have God in the formula. Their teachings may sound intelligent and perhaps even make perfectly good sense to those who are not depending on the light to guide them. Thus, the darkness of the world becomes more and more pervasive, and more and more persuasive, to the point that it is embraced as truth.

However, when it is subjected to the light of God’s word, it is found to be in stark contrast to that word, and thus must be discarded as darkness.

Therefore, any philosophy, or religion, or theological system, or scientific theory which does not have God as its very foundation must be rejected. It must be tested by the light of God’s word, and brought into alignment with that word. If not, it is merely the speculation and conjecture of man, whose mind has been subjected to the darkness of the world.

Let me close this week by encouraging each of us to remain absolutely committed to the teachings of the Bible. Let us study its content; let us embrace its truth; let us then shine the light of Jesus into the world of darkness, with the hope and prayer that His light, shining through us, might attract people to Him.

Next week I will be sharing my thoughts on the pervasiveness and persuasiveness of darkness in the United States of America.