Light vs. Darkness

We know that no one who is born of God sins;

but He who was born of God keeps him,

and the evil one does not touch him.

We know that we are of God,

and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

1 John 5:18-19

 

This is a recurring theme throughout John’s books – those born of God do not sin. Now, I don’t know about you, but I haven’t reached perfection yet!  I do still sin, but as a Christian, a child of God, the Holy Spirit convicts me and I repent.  I do not continue in sin, nor do I live a lifestyle of sin.  My heart’s desire is to live pure and holy before God.  I am being perfected and am maturing, and I find that sin has a very bad taste and does not entice me.

 

I have often been accused of being very black and white when it comes to morals and virtues. I believe that God is black and white and would have us be that way as well.  God is light.  Satan is darkness.  I don’t want even a little bit of darkness to blot out a speck of God’s light in my life.  Gray is an illusion.  Light and dark cannot coexist.

 

How do we know right from wrong? Light from darkness?  We read the word of God.  We pray and spend time with God.  We take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  We abide in the presence of God and hide under His wings and in the shadow of the Almighty.  “Submit therefore to God.  Resist the devil  and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)  Greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world.  Good and evil are not two equal forces warring for your mind and soul.  Rather a beneficent Creator is all good.  He allowed one of His created beings to choose evil and to rule this world.  But Satan must flee from God’s presence.  Seek the light and not sinning becomes easier.

 

Tracy heard a story on the radio of a teenager who wanted to go and see a movie that he knew his parents wouldn’t approve.  He brought them the review and said that there was only a few cuss words, one sex scene, and the name of the Lord was only taken in vain 4 or 5 times.  His dad told him to let him think about it.  That night after dinner, the dad presented the son with some brownies.  He said that he had used only the purest, organic ingredients.  It was all wholesome except for the 1 small teaspoon of dog poop that he included.  The boy declined dessert!  His dad said that the same was true of the movie.  It had a wholesome message but enough “poop” to make it sickening.

 

How much “poop” is acceptable to you? R-rated movies?  Television shows that portray sex outside of marriage or gay relationships?  A peek at online pornography?  A white lie?

 

I pray that you will choose light. Each time you choose, it becomes easier to choose that direction the next time and the next.  Which direction are your choices heading?