Message summary: Wherever you live there is spiritual darkness, since the prince of darkness resides among us, but we thank God that he does not reside with us who have declared allegiance to the King of light.

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“The light shines in the darkness” (John 1:5). “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13).

Back in the 1990's for about 7½ years we lived in New England, where I served as pastor of a church about 35 miles south of Boston in Taunton, Massachusetts.

Salem, about 16 miles north of Boston, is an historic town best known for the witch trials held in the late 1600’s. It is still a center for witchcraft and other deeds of darkness. In fact it proudly promotes its reputation as the “witch city”. I recall sensing the spiritual darkness even as we walked through the city on one occasion.

As best as I can determine there are several Bible-faithful churches in the city and certainly more in the surrounding area.  What a mighty work these churches have in letting the light of Christ shine through them to the darkness that pervades that area. Halloween is a very significant day for witchcraft and satanic activities in Salem (and elsewhere), and yet the true church will have mission outreaches. I read about ministries that especially seek to share Christ at theannual Halloween festival in Salem.

The light of Christ will shine as they expose the fruitless deeds of darkness. May the Lord bless these worthwhile efforts! Thankfully, God has a light shining in the midst of this darkness and the true church has seen many people turn from worthless deeds of darkness to God’s marvelous light.

The first daily verse fundamentally speaks of Christ. He is the Light and indeed He shines in the darkness. Wherever you live there is darkness, although some places are certainly far more spiritually dark. We noted such a difference in this regard when we moved from Northern Pennsylvania to New England and then when we moved to Lancaster County. However, wherever you live there is spiritual darkness, since the prince of darkness resides among us, but we thank God that he does not reside within us, for we who have declared our allegiance to the King of light.

The verb “shines” in the first daily text is in the present tense and can be understood as "the light keeps on giving light". Jesus teaches His followers, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

Today, all over the world serious believers are allowing the light of Christ to shine through them. This light exposes the fruitless deeds of darkness and this is the essence of spiritual warfare. Darkness hates the light. Yet faithful followers of Christ will continue to let their light shine, essentially reflecting the Light, who is Christ.

In our second daily verse the Apostle Paul makes a very unambiguous statement: "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them".  It’s a call desperately needed in our culture and increasingly so within the Church. In carrying out this command it will subject us to ridicule among many who “love the darkness rather than the light” (John 3:19). In fact the world wants to silence those who expose darkness as revealed in the Light of His Word.

You see, when we get accustomed to the darkness it will not seem as dark anymore. Remember the childhood phrase, "my eyes got used to the dark". That can be true of our spiritual eyes as well. So we must, as committed believers, turn our eyes upon Jesus and "in the light of His presence continually dwell".

May each reader today reflect the light of the world, which is Jesus!

Be encouraged today!  Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber