The Bible speaks of darkness. John 3:19-20, NLT, says that people love darkness because their actions are evil. That means people love sin! Think of all the crimes, the victims, the sorrows, and the pains of nighttime violence. Then, we see a link between darkness and evil, sin and darkness. All who do evil things hate the light. For light, you see, is recognized as goodness or righteousness. The book of wisdom, Proverbs 2:13-14, NLT, tells us some people choose to leave the path of righteousness to walk the dark ways. They take pleasure in doing evil; they enjoy the twisted ways of sin. One is in darkness if he is without salvation; he is a sinner bound for hell unless he comes to the light.
One can live in darkness. People can indeed live in darkness. That is, they practice evil as a way of life. Living in darkness prohibits seeing the light. Thereby, even good, moral people can be in darkness simply because they do not come to the light of Jesus Christ. The apostle John said we couldn’t claim to be with Jesus and walk in darkness, 1 John 1:6, NLT. We can’t do both; one is anathema to the other. John also states, in 1 John 2:4, NLT, that anyone saying, “they know Jesus,” but does not keep His commandments is a liar – the truth is not in him.
Living in darkness is a sinful lifestyle. Unless one comes to Jesus for salvation, he can in no way enter heaven. There is indeed judgment day, Romans 17:30-31, NLT. Jesus proclaimed evil ones would go away into eternal punishment, Matthew 25:46, NLT. In John 5:29, He said Christians would rise from the dead to eternal life while those who have committed evil will enter hell.
Darkness blinds people. You know how difficult it is to see if you go out at night. There’s a great deal of stumbling about. It’s hard to know the path and stay on it. John 11:10, NLT states people are in danger of stumbling because they have no light – they are walking in darkness. People in sin do not have the light of Jesus. They cannot find their way to heaven because of the dark. It’s as if they are walking in the night. John states that anyone hating their brethren is still living in darkness, 1 John 2:11, NLT. Christians can be guilty of sin unless they repent and live the way of love.
Second Corinthians 4:4, NLT has this: “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.”
It’s a frightening idea that many are led by Satan right now, at each moment. Satan blinds people to the reality of heaven and hell. Being led by Satan is a sure path to misery, of course. The converse is true. Does Jesus lead you? If so, you’re on the way to heaven.
Stay away from evil. Romans 13:12, NLT has excellent advice – remove the dark deeds like dirty clothes and put on the shining armor of light. That’s a sure way to obtain heaven. Ephesians 5:11 tells us to have nothing to do with the unfruitful deeds of darkness. Instead, we should expose them. Second Corinthians 6:14 asks two questions, how can righteousness be a partner with wickedness, and how can light live with darkness. The answer, of course, is this cannot be. Only fools want to walk the dark ways, Ecclesiastes 2:13-14, NLT.
Be careful of Satan’s trickery. “But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve,” 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, NLT.