11/16/2021
What we say, and the way we behave influences others, and as Christians this can win souls for the kingdom of God, or drive them away towards eternal damnation. The consequences of the decisions we make, actions we take, and things we profess as being true, are profound in their effect on others... whether we intend for them to be this way or not. Our faith, or lack of it, holds the key to life and death for all those who witness our behavior, hear what we teach, and otherwise see our faith in action. In a dark world they are drawn to even a dim light of hope… how true is the light we shine into the darkness?
““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.”
Matthew 5:14-15 ESV
I watched a documentary on television about fireflies in the forest. As night came and it began to get dark the landscape was lit with thousands upon thousands of lights... the blinking tails of fireflies. This is the mating season for them in the south, even in our back yards, and is incredibly beautiful. Working as God has designed it to work this sight is incredible, and secures a prosperous future for generations of fireflies, but in the midst of this beauty scene something sinister looms, and tragedy awaits. In the darkness a spider has weaved its web, and if it is fortunate enough to ensnare one blinking firefly it quickly encases it in web, but does not do so completely, and it doesn’t kill it. The spider uses the blinking tail of this unfortunate firefly to lure another to the web, and then the two of them lure another, and so on, and so on, until the web is full of fireflies who will now become food for the spider. If we are not careful, Satan uses us in much the same way. He will trap one of us in his web of lies, and sin, that he has strung across our path, then he will use us as living bait to lure others to join us there. For example, Satan can take our success in the world, and if he can tempt us into using it in an ungodly way, he will have ensnared us in his web of sin, and can then use our light of success to lure others into his trap. To be complicit in this is met with dire consequences.
““Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”
Matthew 18:5-6 ESV
Judas Iscariot was a disciple of Jesus, and as as far as we know he was like all the others until he betrayed Jesus. Although there is no motive given for his betrayal, there must have been one, and he did take 30 pieces of silver (just as prophesy had predicted) for doing so. Since then, many theologians have wondered what caused Judas to do this. What was it that baited the web that he became ensnared in? Here was a man whose feet had been washed by Jesus, and who took the first communion with all the others…what was it that undid him? Was he the first in this particular web, or did he follow another’s light? Perhaps some other teaching he heard in the temple? This is a mystery, but we do know that Jesus already knew the answer…
“Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.””
John 13:26-27 ESV
So how do we avoid becoming a Judas, falling victim to the web, and what do we do if we find ourselves trapped there? Well, to avoid Satan’s snare we should faithfully follow the light of Jesus, and do as He did by using God’s Word as our defense. Jesus is our true light in the darkness, through Him the light of the Father shines, and in Him is life.
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””
John 8:12 ESV
In Christ we find a glorious light that has overcome the darkness, and lights up our path. So long as we remain in His light we will not become lost in the darkness of the world, and Satan’s snares can be easily seen, and avoided.
“So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.”
John 12:35 ESV
However, if we should find ourselves trapped in a web of sin then we should repent at once, and prayerfully call out to God for forgiveness, and rescue. We should not be satisfied, even for a moment, to remain trapped because we are truly lost; our light will begin to dim until at last it will flicker, and go out, and because we will also serve as an attraction to others who, though seeking the one true light, might be lured by the faint flickering of our dying gasp, then be caught up too, and will be lost just as we are… fireflies… once beautiful, but now lost in a dark wood.
So, how true is the light we are shining in the darkness?
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for your Son Jesus through whom your brilliant light shines into this dark world. We thank you for every saint’s blinking light that when joined together become a highway of light that brightens up the night, and produces a glowing path that leads us to follow Jesus to you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God of light, love, goodness, mercy, grace, and so much more. Praised be your name for every flash of light that we shine into the world, and for your rescue when we are caught up in Satan’s snare, and our light begins to fade. Help us Father as we fly, and hover, in the darkness. Illuminate us Lord through our faith in Jesus, and lead us ever closer to you… the true source of all light, and the glorious champion over darkness forever. Cleanse us Lord in the blood of Jesus, and wash away every sin that otherwise would cover the light of righteousness you have placed in us. See the brilliance of Christ glowing in us, and declare us worthy to be in your presence forevermore. Let us cast no shadow, but pass your light through ourselves without diminishing it in the slightest… glorifying you always, and serving as shining examples, signaling to all those who remain lost in the world.
Rich Forbes