“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy,[g] your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy,[h] your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.36 Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.” Luke 11.33-36
Lights and lamps. Jesus is using the light and lamp metaphor to illustrate the holiness within. When what we see is dark and unholy, our whole person is unholy. When what comes in is dark, our entire body is dark. What does this look like spiritually and can we reflect his light without his love?
Spiritually speaking, to have a body full of darkness means we are allowing the sin to take root. There was a time in my life when I was feeding an addiction. Doing ministry but also willingly engaged in sin. For a while I could survive, but eventually the darkness became such that I could not be a follow of Christ and a child of the devil. I could not entertain evil with good. Oil and water do not mix.
And so for me, I had to confess, to release the sin, to repent of my ways, to cling to the light. The choice for me was clear, and I am not being over dramatic — I felt like I had to confess or the sin would destroy me. My body was full of darkness. Even though Christ had put his mark on me, my ability to choose evil was prevailing. I literally vomited up the sin, ridding the evil and the demonic hold, while on holding on for dear life. The bonds were broken and I was set free. (For a great book on spiritual strong holds read “Shadow Boxing: The Dynamic 2-5-14 Strategy to Defeat the Darkness Within,” by Henry Malone.)
The good news is that what Jesus says in Luke 11 are true and applicant for us as believers. Holiness begins with your eyes and in what you see and what you think. This is why having the mind of Christ is so crucial. Memorizing Scripture, something I need to return to, mediating on his Word, praising God in worship, being in fellowship with other believers is necessary to keep the light within.
If you are battling with a sin, addiction or spiritual strong hold, turn towards the light. Call on the name of Jesus. Confess to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Allow the blood of Jesus to release you and remove the evil from your life. Then the chains will be broken and you, like me, will walk in newness of life and holiness. By his grace and for his glory.
“O Lord God, to be on this side of holiness is incredible. To resist temptation is so freeing. Thank you for designing us for purity. Thank you for the ability to say no to sin and yes to truth. I love you Lord and praise you for my own person victory and that you are with me every step of the way. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your power and love. Cover me with the blood of Jesus and claim me as your own. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen