When Your Light Exposes the Darkness

John 3:19-20 - "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed."

Jesus says, "You are the light of the world" (see Matthew 5:14). You might say, "I thought Jesus was the Light of the world." He is the light of the world (see John 8:12). However, later in Matthew 5, He says, "You're the salt of the earth," and then He says, "You're the light of the world." How are you the light? Because Jesus' light lives inside of you. You're reflecting the light of Jesus, just as the moon reflects the light of the sun. You're reflecting that light. It's not your light - it's His light in you.

When you're the light of the world and you begin to walk around, your lifestyle starts shedding light, exposing the darkness that people are in. And that's when you'll be persecuted for righteousness' sake.

John the Baptist understood this reality. He was a preacher of righteousness who came saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (see Matthew 3:2). But Herod locked him up. Why? Not because John had some encouraging, feel-good message for first-century believers.

Mark 6:18 says, "Because John had said to Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.'" Luke 3:19–20 adds, "But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison."

Herod locked John the Baptist in prison because John boldly declared, "Herod, it's not right that you took another man's wife." John also spoke against other things Herod was doing that violated God's ways. And Herod ultimately beheaded John the Baptist. John lost his life not because of some sin, but because He stood for what was right.

You see, it's not when we talk about the meek and mild Jesus that persecution comes - it's when we present the Jesus who draws dividing lines. Think about it: Jesus said, "Blessed are you when you're spiritually broken, spiritually bankrupt, poor in spirit," yet the world says, "No, you have everything you need within yourself to rise up." That's a fundamentally different message.

Jesus said, "Blessed are you when you mourn over the sin of your own soul and the sin of your family. Blessed are you when you mourn over the sin of your community, your nation, and your world." But the world tells you, "No, don't mourn over it. Just explain it away. Don't call it 'sin'. Just wink at it. Celebrate alternative lifestyles." Your mourning over sin exposes the darkness they're living in and even celebrating.

Here's where the persecution intensifies: when you refuse to stay silent about what God's Word says. The pressure comes from everywhere - "Keep your faith private." "Don't impose your beliefs on others." But living out the beatitudes means we can't compartmentalize our faith. When Jesus is truly Lord of our lives, His truth touches every area.

The world wants Christians who will sit quietly in the pew on Sunday morning but never let their faith influence their world Monday through Saturday. They want a Jesus who saves but never challenges, who forgives but never calls for repentance, who loves but never confronts sin. But that's not the Jesus of Scripture.

When your light begins to shine - when you live with integrity, when you speak truth in love, when you refuse to participate in ungodly conversations or activities - it makes others uncomfortable because it exposes their darkness. They begin to see the contrast between their lives and yours, and rather than coming to the light, they often choose to attack the light instead.

This is exactly what Jesus warned would happen. People love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. When the light of Christ in you exposes that darkness, expect resistance. Expect to be called narrow-minded, judgmental, or intolerant. Expect to be marginalized or silenced.

But remember - this persecution is evidence that your light is working. If you're living as a Christian and never experiencing any opposition, you might need to examine whether your light is actually shining. When we truly live as salt and light, the world will take notice, and not all of that notice will be positive.

Reflection Question: How has your Christian lifestyle exposed darkness in your workplace, neighborhood, or family? Are you prepared for the discomfort that comes when your light shines in dark places?

Lord, help me understand that when I live for You, my life will naturally expose the darkness around me. Give me grace to shine Your light with love, even when others are uncomfortable with the truth it reveals. Help me not to dim my light to avoid persecution, but to shine brighter for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from "Believers Under Fire" (Matthew 5:10-12): https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/7p55s6j/8-believers-under-fire