Darkness can feel comforting. We can become so used to living according to worldly standards that we do not know a way out or worse…. we may not even realize that we have become of this world. Bad habits start to feel like the norm and become our standard of living. We begin to walk down the paths of our hearts deceitful desires. This is what the enemy wants you to believe. He wants for you to feel trapped. To believe there is no way out. To believe there is no light at the end of the tunnel. ALL LIES. The enemy’s native language is lies. He wants us to believe we need to remain in the shade that is over us because it keeps our darkest most shameful secrets hidden. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. Believers, be encouraged! For you no longer need to live under the lies of the enemy.
Darkness reminds us that we are unworthy. It tells us that we are alone in this world and there is no one who will understand our pain. It leaves us feeling empty inside, with no one to turn too. It keeps us from our friends, loved ones and from our true selves. Darkness can feel like depression. We begin to neglect ourselves and become so deep rooted in darkness, we feel there is no meaning or purpose to life. Symptoms of depression include: isolation, fatigue, sadness, bitterness, hatred or an inability to feel empathy for others. The truth is that you no longer have to live in the shade rather you can step out into the light, keeping in mind the goodness it will bring.
Today, I want to encourage you to live in the truth and knowledge of God’s word. Your actions in the past have been forgiven. Your sins in the future have been forgiven. The history of darkness that you once lived in, is no longer. Today you have the power to choose. You can choose righteousness. You can choose Holiness. Living in the light or living in darkness, is a choice. The fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth. You should have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Everything exposed by the light becomes visible and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Love as children of light and find out what pleases the Lord.” [Ephesians 5:8].