The Tension Between Light and Darkness

The Tension Between Light and Darkness

God has been speaking so much to me through various means. One day it’s on the theme of light in the darkness, and another day it’s on the theme of community. Through that one day, God spoke to me on the same topic through sermons, articles, and sometimes even secular books! At the same time, I feel shrouded in darkness and an air of despondency. I was weighed down by a heavy heart of hopelessness. It felt like a fight or a tension between the light and darkness in me.

There’s always the tension within us anyway – the good and bad side, the light and dark side. No one is all good, and no one is all bad. I think there’s no pure evil. We were all made good, but various factors such as upbringing and life experiences shape us towards either end of the spectrum. Even Judas who committed the greatest sin of eternity felt remorse in his heart that led to suicide. The goodness in him created that struggle in him.

There is a slippery road into darkness if we’re not careful to protect that light in us. It could be giving in to small temptations, or taking small compromises. Everything starts small – whether God’s calling or the devil’s destruction. Once darkness overtakes us, we will be swept into the torrent of darkness or the hurricane of destruction.

Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.
While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.

John 12:35-36

I thought of the many pastors fallen from grace in recent years, and even the backsliders I know. A light that once shone brightly in them could be snuffed out — like the seed being choked by weeds or thorns (Matthew 13:7). Thus, we have to be sober and vigilant because the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (Ephesians 6:11, 1 Peter 5:8). We have to put on the whole armour of God to go against the schemes of the devil.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,
having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
prayingalways with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Ephesians 6:14-18

In our fight with the darkness, we alternate between defence and offence. In defence, the shield of faith deflects the attacks of doubts. In offence, the word attacks and cripples the schemes of the enemy. Either way, we need to pray.

Is darkness overwhelming you? In a long-drawn battle, we might forget or be too tired to use this armour. That’s why a time set apart daily for God is important – a time to be nourished and equipped. Ask God at the beginning of each day for a bible verse to see you through the day. I pray that you will have the strength to fight through another day.


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