DEVOTION – DAY 454

Ephesians 5:8-9 “Living In The Light” 

Ephesians 5:8-9 “For you were once darkness, but now, you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light for the fruit of the light consist in all goodness, righteousness and truth.”

In these verses, there is a contrast between light and darkness. The Bible usually describes sin as darkness, and light is often associated with God. God is “Light,” meaning God is pure, true and holy. Thus, God’s children will find that their lives will be lighted up with God’s presence in them. At the same time, God’s light will reveal all the darkness that is part of their nature, and will cause them to want to change for the better. To start sinning less and less and to start to obey God’s commands for them. In this way, they will slowly reflect God’s moral and ethical character – like goodness, righteousness and truth.

We know someone who chose to live a wild lifestyle. He had a job that earned him sufficient money to spend on women, sex and alcohol. He also experimented with recreational drugs. He thought he was having a great time. Until he realized that the women he thought were his girlfriends were only after his money, and when his money ran out, he started borrowing money and soon had mounting debts. Then, his girlfriends deserted him. He also discovered that his immoral lifestyle left him with sexually transmitted disease. Without realizing it, he was living in darkness. 

At his lowest point, he turned to God. He found a church and asked to see a Pastor.

Apart from providing him some counselling, the church also pointed Him to God, the “Light” that would reveal the darkness that was in him. He was asked if he wanted to continue to live as he formerly did – a life of waste and regret, or whether he wanted to live a new life in Christ. He chose to want to live a new life of change. So, the Pastor led this man to say the sinners’ prayer to ask Jesus to be his Lord and Savior. This man is now taking steps to change his lifestyle. It is not easy, but with prayer and some guidance from the church, he is making the steps needed to turn away from his need for alcohol, sex, recreational drugs and other abuses. He is wanting to live as a child of light.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you, for you are Holy, pure and true. Thank you for your Spirit that helps us to make changes to our habits and attitudes that displeases you. Please help us to live in ways that give you honor and glory. We humbly ask this in the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. What habits, attitudes and lifestyle must you change so that there is less “darkness” in your life? It could be in your choice of music, what you follow on social media, or in the films you like to watch. 
  2. Why is it difficult to change some of these sinful habits? Discuss.
  3. What steps can you take to do so? Who can you turn to ask for help and prayers?
  4. How has God helped you to make some changes in the past to rid yourself of some sins? Share.