Episode Details

Week 1, we learned that:

We must know we are a part of a larger spiritual battle
Today, we are looking at an important Biblical theme
The theme is LIGHT AND DARKNESS
Scripture uses several themes to separate the THINGS OF GOD and the THINGS NOT OF GOD

• Good and Bad
• Wisdom and Foolishness
• Righteous and Unrighteous

Another of those themes is LIGHT AND DARKNESS
An example of this is…

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
This leads to the questions:

What exactly is LIGHT?

What exactly is DARKNESS?
Let’s Start with…

Biblical Theology of Light and Dark

Genesis 1:1-4

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.
God created light

• The light was GOOD

Darkness represents CHAOS

• Formless
• Empty
• Without purpose

So we can say that…

God’s Creation thrives in the light

Psalm 27:1

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life whom should I dread?

A new layer of what light is…

Light Represents God and His Salvation

Isaiah 9:2

2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.
Darkness is a state we can live in

• Perpetually

God’s light (SALVATION) pulls us out of Darkness
But this is not a physical darkness…

Romans 1:21-22

21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools…
This darkness affects our hearts and minds
But…

John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light (Salvation) of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.
The light of God’s Salvation in Jesus overcomes the CHAOS and hard hearts of the World

What is this Darkness?

Darkness is the fallen state of humanity, the created world, and the kingdom of evil. It started in the Garden of Eden and continues through humankind’s rebellion.

• Darkness refers to falsehood and evil. To live as children of light means to be directed by what is good, right, and true.
• Symbolizes sin, ignorance, and separation from God

This is important because it challenges our modern perception of:
GOOD VS BAD

• God is not some heavenly principle – BAD
• God is not a sky Santa Clause – GOOD

This leads us to say things like…

• “I think I’m a good person who sometimes does bad things…”
• “I’m not perfect, but I know my own heart…”
• “I think as long as you do good things and aren’t mean to people, you are a good person…”

This isn’t what the Bible is trying to say AT ALL

Some practical ways to better understand how this darkness affects us

Darkness of Understanding