Most negative experiences can be turned into valuable lessons that will end up protecting you the next time you encounter a similar situation. It’s easy to fall victim to a scam when you’re stumbling around in the dark; however, once the deception has been revealed, a bright light exposes the truth. The world we live in is full of darkness. There are endless opportunities to wander away from the light into the devil’s playground. When you make a decision to follow Jesus, you have made a decision to walk in the light.
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 (NIV)
The devil is all about distraction. As you go through your day, the devil will be constantly trying to push you away from the light into the darkness. One small lie, one bit of vengeful gossip, one tiny act of selfishness can all open a crack that allows the darkness to filter into your life. There is no room for darkness in the life of a believer.
“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” 1 John 1:6 (NIV)
The truth is we likely never let a day go by without sinning in some small way. Our selfish needs, our lustful desire, our jealous ambition all work together to manipulate our minds in the wrong direction. We need to keep those wayward thoughts in check by constantly turning to Jesus and seeking God’s grace (1John 1:9). It is the blood of Jesus that makes it possible for us to overcome our sin and continue our walk in the light.
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8 (NIV)
Disagreeable people can be a major stumbling block to our ability to walk in the light. Some constantly negative personalities are seemingly impossible to understand and therefore easy to dislike. God loves us all and we should seek to be like Him.
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.” 1 John 2:9 (NIV)
Probably the easiest way to drift away from your walk in the light is to become enormously successful in this world. Wealth and prosperity make this world look good and hide the darkness that can develop when your money begins to take charge of your life (1 Timothy 6:10).
“If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” 1 John 2:15 (NIV)
If you open up an old can of paint, it’s a good idea to pour it through a filter into a clean bucket to remove all the lumps and impurities. In this same way, we should begin each day by cleaning our spirit through the filter of love. Love is the cleansing force that purifies our mind and sets in motion a softening of our heart that will help us walk in the light.
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8 (NIV)
God set his Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross as payment for our sins. Praise God for this precious gift that paves the way for eternal life. When you make a decision to follow Jesus, you have made a decision to walk in the light.
“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:5 (NIV)
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