September 7
Song of Solomon 7-8
Psalm 102:23-28
Proverbs 22:5-6
Ephesians 5:1-21
Light in the Darkness
“Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. Therefore, do not become their partners. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light—for the fruit of the light results in goodness, righteousness, and truth—discerning what is pleasing to the Lord. Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful to even mention what is done by them in secret. Everything exposed by the light is made clear, for what makes everything clear is light.” Ephesians 5:6-14
Satan loves darkness. He loves secrets and hidden things. He loves them because they entangle us in a web of deceit. Have you ever done something that you were so ashamed of that you had to keep it a secret from everyone? Shame brings bondage and fear. There is a knot in your stomach and a weight on your chest that feels like one of those blankets they lay over you when you get x-rays at the dentist. You feel paralyzed by the guilt, and it is hard to function because you are afraid everyone is going to find out what you did. This is just what Satan wants. He knows if he can get you into this position then he can convince you to lie to cover up the secret and maybe even sin more. It becomes a vicious cycle. The more secrets you keep hidden, the more lies you have to tell to cover them up. Satan will fill your head with lies to convince you that you are all alone and no one has ever done the things you have done, God could never forgive you, your friends and family could never forgive you, it would ruin your life if everyone found out, etc. He is the father of lies. He will say whatever he has to say to keep you in bondage.
There is freedom in truth and light. Everything exposed by the light is made clear. Our God wants you to be free. He is the God of restoration and hope. I John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” It does not say that He will forgive our sins if they aren’t too bad or that He might forgive them. It says that if we confess, He will forgive. Everything. All the stuff that is yucky and ugly and shameful. If we confess it to Him, He will forgive us and cleanse us from all that unrighteousness. Now if we confess it to Him, He may tell us to confess it to others that we have hurt by our sin. God loves the light because He knows that freedom comes from transparency. He does not want us to be bound by secrets and lies. That burden is so heavy, and He wants to lift it off of us. It may be difficult to admit what we have done, but once we have, the healing and the restoration process can begin. If the secrets and lies are hanging over us, complete healing is not possible. If you are living with a burden of sin and shame, I pray that you would confess it to God and let Him begin to restore you. Don’t believe Satan’s lies. He does not love you and he does not want what is best for you, but your Heavenly Father does.
Comments