John 1:5 – Light and Darkness

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Light and darkness represent the polar distinction between good and evil. In this relationship we see that these opposites are not equal. Light casts out darkness, as good casts out evil. Satan, as a created being, falls under God’s authority.

Throughout the Bible we see the war between the light of God and the darkness of evil. In the Garden of Eden, God required Adam and Eve to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but they disobeyed (Gen. 2:17). They choose self-interest and the curse on all mankind was the consequence (Gen. 3). Adam and Eve’s children, Cain and Abel, represent the ongoing war that darkness wages against man (Gen. 4). Both sons brought sacrifices to the Lord, but only one brought their best. The Lord did not look on Cain’s offering with favor, as even in his offering he was selfish and disobedient. The Lord counseled Cain stating, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it,” (Gen. 4:1-7). Cain chose anger, jealousy, and sin over obedience to God; as a result, he murdered his own brother and was condemned to restless wandering for the rest of his days (Gen. 4:8-12). The book of Judges describes how the tribes of Israel failed to drive out the Canaanite people from their land. Their excuses ranged from the superior technology of the enemy, “chariots filled with iron,” to the simple fact that “the Canaanites were determined to live in that land,” (Judg. 1:19,27). In their lack of faith and unwillingness to obey God, they assimilated into a religion and culture of Baal worship, child sacrifice, and temple prostitution (Judg. 2:19). In the revelation given to John from God, Satan is described as “an enormous red dragon,” that was defeated in a war in Heaven by Michael and his angels (Rev. 12:1-9).  The “dragon” and his fallen angels were “hurled to the earth,” where they “wage war against the rest of [Israel’s] offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus,” (Rev. 12:7-17). Jesus himself fights on a personal level when He was “led by the Spirit… to be tempted by the devil,” (Mat. 4:1-11).

God expects His people to be in the fight against evil. He expects His people to be “the light of the world,” not hiding their lights but letting them “shine before others, that they may see [their] good deeds and glorify [their] Father in heaven,” (Mat. 5:14-16). Paul tells us to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Eph. 6:10-11). James tells us to “submit…to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you,” (4:7). “The hour has already come for [us] to wake up from [our]slumber… let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light,” (Rom. 13:11-12).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for promising victory. Help us in our struggle against the darkness on earth and in our hearts. Help us to be the lights you call us to be.