Light is one of the most common words in the scripture. Its first usage during the Genesis account of creation was the literal meaning of light (the absence of darkness). It is used for that meaning in many other places in the scripture. However, the word light is also used as a metaphor – for instance, God’s kingdom is described as a kingdom of light while satan’s kingdom is described as a kingdom of darkness.
Below are some of the uses of the word light in the scriptures.
Transformation
You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light (2 Samuel 22:29).
The scripture above uses light to denote transformation. The metaphor is based on how any night – however dark – eventually paves the way to light at dawn. The scripture is a stark reminder that as long as God is on your side, your dark moments will pass away and they will be transformed into light.
The same metaphor of transformation is used by Apostle Peter in the following scripture:
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9).
Peter uses light and darkness to contrast the current state of the believer’s heart with its past before regeneration. God transformed the believers through the blood of Jesus Christ and made them royal priesthood.
Guidance
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105).
In the scripture above, the Psalmist reminisces how God’s word was a source of direction in moments of eternity. To paint a vivid picture, he refers to the word as a lamp for his feet and a light for his path. As Stormie Omartian put it, “God will always give you enough light for the step you are on.”
The word of God can be a great source of direction and hope in a world that has no moral compass. God’s word will direct you on what to do, where to go, and who to be with. God’s word will give counsel on who to do business with, who to marry, and how to do anything else you can ever imagine on earth. To put it plainly, his word can be a light and a lamp – no matter the darkness that surrounds you.
God’s Presence
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD (Psalms 4:6).
It is not a coincidence that the first thing that God created in Genesis 1 was light. If God was in the beginning, then light had to be in the beginning – because light represents God’s presence. John the Revelator records an interesting observation in the following scripture;
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp (Revelation 21:23).
This scripture gives the definitive proof that light is a metaphor for God’s presence. In heaven, where God resides, the radiance of his glory is so much that there is no need for any other source of light. This may explain why his kingdom is a kingdom of light and his children are the children of light. It may explain why Jesus is referred to as the light of the world while the devil is referred to as the prince of darkness.
Victory Over Darkness
As we have already seen, the Bible is a dichotomy of light and darkness with God representing light and satan representing darkness. As such, light is often used to demonstrate the victory of God’s kingdom over the kingdom of darkness.
The story begins in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit. This act of disobedience plunged mankind from God’s glorious presence (light) into a life of darkness (sin). However, even in the fallen state, God extends his grace to mankind and gives him victory over the flesh and sin. Here are some scriptural demonstration of this:
The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?” God is portrayed as the source of light, dispelling darkness and bringing salvation (Psalm 27:1).
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5).
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (Ephesians 5:8).
Spreading Light
Far from being passive recipients of God’s grace, we are called to be active participants in its transmission. There is a reason why we are called children of light – we are meant to spread this light wherever we go. Jesus belabored this point in several places in the gospels. For instance, he taught that we can spread our light through our actions.
You are the light of the world. A town built 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Mathew 5:14-16).
Every Christian must always be cognizant of the fact that they are a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden or a light that is set on a stand. Our lifestyle should therefore reflect the faith we profess at all times. We are not just Christians when we are in church but 24/7 365.
Jesus also taught how our unwavering faith can serve as a radiant torch, dispelling doubt and confusion for those seeking spiritual guidance.
Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them (John 12:36).
Our unswerving faith can be a testament to the transformative power of God’s love. By embodying kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, we become living examples of the light that shines within us, drawing others closer to its warmth.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, the concept of light in the Bible carries profound significance, representing transformation, guidance, God’s presence, victory over darkness, and the responsibility of spreading God’s light. It serves as a reminder of God’s enduring love, offering hope and direction in a world often shrouded in darkness. By embracing the light and allowing it to permeate our lives, we become beacons of hope, guiding others toward the path of righteousness and salvation.
