As we studied last week we are born into a prison compound as a prisoner of war. We are no longer prisoners of war when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. We are set free and are outside the camp. Yet workers of evil continually set up new prisons on the “outside” for us to walk into. The prince of this world, the prince of darkness, attempts to ensnare us and then accuses us before the throne of God. But we are not left defenseless. We have tools, weapons to utilize. We are supposed to clothe ourselves with these weapons. But not just for our own selves, we have weapons to help others not fall into the traps being set for us. This is how we set prisoners free. We have a wardrobe of light that the enemy wants to imitate, but our tools have nuclear capabilities and the enemy disintegrates when we use them.
It is disappointing to see that the Christian community does not speak out very loudly over social evils. It also seems at times that Christians take the fight in the wrong direction. As an example, this past week a famous news anchor was released from his position. He had been sued several times over the years regarding sexual harassment issues, not to mention domestic abuse allegations. But because said news personality is a conservative, we do not hear anything from the Christian community denouncing his poor behavior. Isn’t using one’s position for sexual favors wrong? What do Christians plan on saying to their little girls? “Well honey you can grow up to be anything you want, but just remember you may have a male supervisor who will bully you into sexual favors, and you will get a nice promotion out of it.” What? Shouldn’t we tell our little girls that if someone tries to intimidate them into preforming sexual favors at their job that they should not do it and speak up? But people rationalize, “Oh but this man is a conservative….” Evil behavior is irrespective of political party. Christians have been given a sword of light for a reason. Sexual harassment is never acceptable, and the one’s with the light have to dispel the darkness. Female genital mutilations are not acceptable either, nor is the rape of children, or marriages to children. Shame on us for being silent. What we will see is that there is really no gray area here. The written word of God gives us a consistent contrast between darkness and light.
In Romans, Paul reminds us of a few things; one is that each day we are closer to our redemption. He suggests that night advances, or beats forward, and the day comes near. He says to cast off the works of darkness, the things we do in darkness, and clothe ourselves with the tools or weapons of light. Paul then lists what we should not do and then tells us that we should clothe ourselves with Jesus Christ.
Romans 13:11-14 (AMP) Besides this you know what [a critical] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ, the Messiah).
12 The night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light.
13 Let us live and conduct ourselves honorably and becomingly as in the [open light of] day, not in reveling (carousing) and drunkenness, not in immorality and debauchery (sensuality and licentiousness), not in quarreling and jealousy.
14 But clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts).
Let’s look at some of these words.
Romans 13:11G2532Also G3778this, G1492knowing G3588the G2540time, G3754that G5610the hour G1473we G2235already G1537from out of G5258sleep G1453arise; G3568for now G1063 G1451[is nearer G1473us G3588 G4991deliverance] G2228than G3753when G4100we trusted.
12G3588The G3571night G4298progressed, G3588and the G1161 G2250day G1448approached. G659We should put aside G3767then G3588the G2041works G3588 G4655of darkness, G2532and G1746put on G3588the G3696weapons G3588of the G5457light.
13G5613As G1722[by G2250day G2156decently G4043we should walk]; G3361not G2970in debaucheries G2532and G3178in intoxications; G3361not G2845in beds G2532and G766in lewdnesses; G3361not G2054in strife G2532and G2205in jealousy.
14G235But G1746clothe on G3588the G2962Lord G*Jesus G5547Christ, G2532and G3588[of the G4561flesh G4307forethought G3361do not G4160have G15194for G19395desire]
4298LSJ Gloss: προκόπτω to cut away in front
Dodson: προκόπτω I advance, make progress (originally of the pioneer cutting his way through brushwood), I advance, progress, make progress.
Strong's: προκόπτω to drive forward (as if by beating), i.e. (figuratively and intransitively) to advance (in amount, to grow; in time, to be well along)
Derivation: from G4253 and G2875; KJV Usage: increase, proceed, profit, be far spent, wax.
Derivation: from G4253 and G2875; KJV Usage: increase, proceed, profit, be far spent, wax.
Thayer:
1) to beat forward
1a) to lengthen out by hammering (as a smith forges metals)
1b) metaph. to promote, forward, further
2) to go forward, advance, proceed
2a) of time: the night is far spent
2b) metaph. to increase, make progress
1a) to lengthen out by hammering (as a smith forges metals)
1b) metaph. to promote, forward, further
2) to go forward, advance, proceed
2a) of time: the night is far spent
2b) metaph. to increase, make progress
προκόπτω prokoptō prok-op'-to From G4253 and G2875; to drive forward (as if by beating), that is, (figuratively and intransitively) to advance (in amount, to grow; in time, to be well along) KJV Usage: increase, proceed, profit, be far spent, wax.
1448Dodson: ἐγγίζω I come near, approach trans: I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach.
Strong's: ἐγγίζω to make near, i.e. (reflexively) approach Derivation: from G1451; KJV Usage: approach, be at hand, come (draw) near, be (come, draw) nigh.
Thayer:
1) to bring near, to join one thing to another
2) to draw or come near to, to approach
2) to draw or come near to, to approach
ἐγγίζω eggizō eng-id'-zo From G1451; to make near, that is, (reflexively) approach KJV Usage: approach, be at hand, come (draw) near, be (come, draw) nigh.
The first thing that we should notice is that the darkness beats it’s way forward. Paul is not simply suggesting night as opposed to day, he is metaphorically using the idea of night as what the evil one does in darkness, and the day as what good individuals do. Darkness, evil, pushes its way forward the closer the Day of the Lord comes to fulfillment. If we think of darkness as a snowball we can understand that as it rolls and collects more snow, it grows. Evil is growing. It is advancing. As evil progresses, the day of redemption gets closer. This speaks of an accumulative effect on the earth. This is why the earth groans and travails in agony.
Paul then says put away labors of darkness.
659LSJ Gloss: ἀποτίθημι to put away, stow away
Dodson: ἀποτίθημι I lay off or aside, renounce I lay off or aside, renounce, stow away, put.
Strong's: ἀποτίθημι to put away (literally or figuratively) Derivation: from G575 and G5087; KJV Usage: cast off, lay apart (aside, down), put away (off).
Thayer:
1) to put off or aside or away
ἀποτίθημι apotithēmi ap-ot-eeth'-ay-mee From G575 and G5087; to put away (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: cast off, lay apart (aside, down), put away (off).
4655LSJ Gloss: σκότος darkness, gloom
Dodson: σκότος darkness darkness, either physical or moral.
Strong's: σκότος shadiness, i.e. obscurity (literally or figuratively) Derivation: from the base of G4639; KJV Usage: darkness.
Thayer:
1) darkness
1a) of night darkness
1b) of darkened eyesight or blindness
2) metaph.
2a) of ignorance respecting divine things and human duties, and the accompanying ungodliness and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell
2b) persons in whom darkness becomes visible and holds sway
1a) of night darkness
1b) of darkened eyesight or blindness
2) metaph.
2a) of ignorance respecting divine things and human duties, and the accompanying ungodliness and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell
2b) persons in whom darkness becomes visible and holds sway
σκότος skotos skot'-os From the base of G4639; shadiness, that is, obscurity (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: darkness.
1746LSJ Gloss: ἐνδύω to go into
Dodson: ἐνδύω I put on, clothe I put on, clothe (another).
Strong's: ἐνδύω to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively) Derivation: from G1722 and G1416 (in the sense of sinking into a garment); KJV Usage: array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on.
Thayer:
1) to sink into (clothing), put on, clothe one's self
ἐνδύω enduō en-doo'-o From G1722 and G1416 (in the senese of sinkinginto a garment); to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively)
KJV Usage: array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on.
3696LSJ Gloss: ὅπλον a tool, implement
Dodson: ὅπλον an instrument, arms, weapons an instrument; plur: arms, weapons.
Strong's: ὅπλον an implement or utensil or tool (literally or figuratively, especially, offensive for war) Derivation: probably from a primary ἕπω (to be busy about); KJV Usage: armour, instrument, weapon.
Thayer:
1) any tool or implement for preparing a thing
1a) arms used in warfare, weapons
2) an instrument
1a) arms used in warfare, weapons
2) an instrument
ὅπλον hoplon hop'-lon Probably from the primary word ἕπω hepō (to be busy about); an implement or utensil or tool(literally or figuratively, especially offensive for war)
KJV Usage: armour, instrument, weapon.
5457Dodson: φῶς light, a source of light light, a source of light, radiance.
Strong's: φῶς compare G5316, G5346); luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
Derivation: from an obsolete φάω (to shine or make manifest, especially by rays; KJV Usage: fire, light.
Derivation: from an obsolete φάω (to shine or make manifest, especially by rays; KJV Usage: fire, light.
Thayer:
1) light
1a) the light
1a1) emitted by a lamp
1a2) a heavenly light such as surrounds angels when they appear on earth
1b) anything emitting light
1b1) a star
1b2) fire because it is light and sheds light
1b3) a lamp or torch
1c) light, i.e brightness
1c1) of a lamp
2) metaph.
2a) God is light because light has the extremely delicate, subtle, pure, brilliant quality
2b) of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it
2c) that which is exposed to the view of all, openly, publicly
2d) reason, mind
2d1) the power of understanding esp. moral and spiritual truth
For Synonyms see entry G5817
1a) the light
1a1) emitted by a lamp
1a2) a heavenly light such as surrounds angels when they appear on earth
1b) anything emitting light
1b1) a star
1b2) fire because it is light and sheds light
1b3) a lamp or torch
1c) light, i.e brightness
1c1) of a lamp
2) metaph.
2a) God is light because light has the extremely delicate, subtle, pure, brilliant quality
2b) of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it
2c) that which is exposed to the view of all, openly, publicly
2d) reason, mind
2d1) the power of understanding esp. moral and spiritual truth
For Synonyms see entry G5817
φῶς phōs foce From an obsolete φάω phaō (to shine or make manifest, especially by rays; compare G5316and G5346); luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative) KJV Usage: fire, light.
Paul says the work of darkness should be cast off and compares that to clothing ourselves with the tools of light. Just as Paul compared day and night, he is now comparing darkness and light. We are to put on as clothing the weapons and shield of light. The word hoplon is translated as either “weapon” or “shield”. The definition tool is appropriate as we clothe ourselves with either offensive weapons or defensive weapons. Either way, we have the tools to be outfitted during our time. Paul lists labors of darkness and then says to clothe ourselves with Jesus Christ and not to heed the desires of the flesh.
The conflict is between darkness and light, night and day. Our actions are dark or light. If our actions are light, but the night is beating forward, we have weapons, tools of light. Light and dark cannot co-exist, light always dispels darkness. Humility is a tool of light. David enlightens us.
Psalm 18:25G3326With G3741the sacred G3741you shall be sacred; G1510.8.2 G2532and G3326with G435[man G121 the innocent] G121you shall be innocent; G1510.8.2
26G2532and G3326with G1588the choice one, G1588you will be choice; G1510.8.2 G2532and G3326with G4760.1the crooked G1294you shall turn aside from.
27G3754For G1473you G2992[people G5011 the humble G4982will deliver], G2532and G3788the eyes G5244of the proud G5013you will humble.
28G3754For G1473you G5461shall light G3088my lamp, G1473 G2962O lord G3588 G2316my God; G1473 G5461you shall lighten G3588 G4655my darkness.G1473
The humble receive deliverance. The humble become light. The humble have their darkness lightened. David recounts that darkness trampled him and the night illuminated his luxury. Luxury means daintiness or debauchery. Yet there isn’t really any darkness or night to Yahweh, he sees it all, nothing is hidden. He searches David’s kidneys, his inner most emotional center.
Psalm 139:11G2532And G2036I said, G686Surely G4655darkness G2662shall trample G1473me; G2532even G3571the night G5462was illumination G1722for G3588 G5172my luxury; G1473
12G3754for G4655darkness G3756will not G4654be made darkness G575with G1473you; G2532and G3571night G5613as G2250day G5461shall be given light; G5613as G3588 G4655its darkness, G1473 G3779so G2532also G3588 G5457its light. G1473
13G3754For G1473you G2932acquired G3588 G3510of my kidneys; G1473 G482you took hold of G1473me G1537from out of G1064the womb G3384of my mother. G1473
14G1843I will make acknowledgment G1473to you, G3754for G5398.1fearfully G2298.1you caused wonder; G2297the wonders G3588 G2041of your works; G1473 G2532and G3588 G5590my soul G1473 G1097knows G4970exceedingly.
This is what our souls know very well; that He has made wonders and knows all things within us. There is no hiding from Yahweh. The night showed how luxurious of a life David lived, all the extravagant comfort, but Yahweh knew his innermost emotions.
Solomon observed the contrast of light and darkness, wisdom versus folly.
Ecclesiastes 2:13G2532And G1492I beheld G1473 G3754that G1510.2.3there is G4050an advantage G3588to G4678wisdom G5228over G3588 G877folly; G5613as G4050the advantage G3588of the G5457light G5228over G3588the G4655darkness.
The list of things that Paul gave us that we should avoid fall under the category of folly. This includes debaucheries, which is “carousing”, or “letting loose”, or Intoxications which would include “drinking”, or “drugs”, or anything that makes one lose their physical and/or mental control. Paul says not in beds which means cohabitation, on a bed or couch, the place where male sperm goes forth. Paul is not giving this warning for married couples, but in the instances of adultery, or fornication, regardless of gender. Lewdnesses is outrageous conduct, public indecency, and unbridled lust. Paul says not to be in strife, fighting, debating, or jealousy. Folly is egotism. Isn’t it egotistical when someone uses their position of employment to intimidate another for sexual favors?
Jesus makes something clear to all of us, we cannot serve two masters. We cannot live in darkness and be clothed in light. One master will prevail, either dark or light, and we will love one and hate the other.
Matthew 6:22G3588The G3088lamp G3588of the G4983body G1510.2.3is G3588the G3788eye. G1437If G3767then G3588 G3788your eye G1473 G573should be sincere, G1510.3 G3650[entire G3588 G4983body G1473your G5460giving light G1510.8.3will be].
23G1437But if G1161 G3588 G3788your eye G1473 G4190should be evil, G1510.3 G3650[entire G3588 G4983body G1473your] G4652will be dark. G1510.8.3 G1487If G3767then G3588the G5457light, G3588the one G1722in G1473you, G4655is darkness, G1510.2.3 G3588[the G4655darkness G4214how great]?
24G3762No one G1410is able G1417[two G2962masters G1398to serve]; G2228for G1063 G3588the G1520one G3404he will detest, G2532and G3588the G2087other G25love; G2228or G1520the one G472he will hold to, G2532and G3588the G2087other G2706he will disdain; G3756you are not able G1410 G2316to serve God G1398 G2532and G3126mammon.
We might think that this contrast is quite obvious, light versus darkness or day versus night. However, if it is as clear as we may think it is here, then why is it that we Christians forget our weapons or tools of light? Is it possible that the world’s immorality has been beating forward and we have been silent? It is disappointing to recognize that the Christian voice has been stifled by intimidation from the darkness. We are clothed in light, we have a shield of light, we have weapons of light. Who will pierce the darkness if it is not us. Silence by those clothed in light allows darkness to continue.
2 Corinthians 6:4-10 (AMP) But we commend ourselves in every way as [true] servants of God: through great endurance, in tribulation and suffering, in hardships and privations, in sore straits and calamities,
5 In beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless watching, hunger;
6 By innocence and purity, knowledge and spiritual insight, longsuffering and patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love;
7 By [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [to attack] and for the left hand [to defend];
8 Amid honor and dishonor; in defaming and evil report and in praise and good report. [We are branded] as deceivers (impostors), and [yet vindicated as] truthful and honest.
9 [We are treated] as unknown and ignored [by the world], and [yet we are] well-known and recognized [by God and His people]; as dying, and yet here we are alive; as chastened by suffering and [yet] not killed;
10 As grieved and mourning, yet [we are] always rejoicing; as poor [ourselves, yet] bestowing riches on many; as having nothing, and [yet in reality] possessing all things.
2 Corinthians 6:7G1722in the G3056word G225of truth, G1722in G1411power G2316of God, G1223through G3588the G3696weapons G3588 G1343of righteousness G3588of the G1188right G2532and G710left,
3056 λόγος logos log'-os From G3004; something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension a computation; specifically (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (that is, Christ)KJV Usage: account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say (-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.
KJV Usage: true, X truly, truth, verity.
δύναμις dunamis doo'-nam-is From G1410; force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself)KJV Usage: ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.
We have the logos of aletheia in the dunamis of God through the weapons of righteousness. That is, we have words of truth in the miracle working power of God through tools of righteousness. We are not powerless. If we refuse to condemn bad behaviors, we are allowing the darkness to have all the influence over the minds of others. Who will wield the sword of light?
We can demolish fortresses of darkness to set the captives free.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (AMP) For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),
6 Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience [as a church] are fully secured and complete.
Let’s analyze this for a bit. We are not carrying on our warfare after the flesh, we are not using physical human weapons. Our weapons are light, and to make light shine into the darkness we have to use words. Our words are light and life to those who hear or read them. Once the light gets into the mind of an individual they will either love it or hate it according as to whether they love or hate darkness. This is how we break strongholds in our society, we denounce what is evil out loud. This is how we break strongholds in peoples’ minds as well as our own mind, we shed the light of the word of God on arguments, theories, and reasonings.
2 Corinthians 10:4G3588(for the G1063 G3696weapons G3588 G4752of our army G1473 G3756are not G4559fleshly, G235but G1415mighty G3588 G2316with God G4314to G2506the demolition G3794of fortresses),
5G3053[devices G2507demolishing] G2532and G3956every G5313height G1869being lifted up G2596against G3588the G1108knowledge G3588 G2316of God, G2532and G163captivating G3956every G3540thought G1519into G3588the G5218obedience G3588of the G5547Christ;
4752 στρατεία strateia strat-i'-ah From G4754; military service, that is, (figuratively) the apostolic career (as one of hardship and danger)KJV Usage: warfare.
4559 σαρκικός sarkikos sar-kee-kos' From G4561; pertaining to flesh, that is, (by extension) bodily, temporal, or (by implication) animal, unregenerate
KJV Usage: carnal, fleshly.
1415 δυνατός dunatos doo-nat-os' From G1410; powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible KJV Usage: able, could, (that is) mighty (man), possible, power, strong.
2506καθαίρεσις kathairesis kath-ah'ee-res-is From G2507; demolition; figuratively extinction KJV Usage: destruction, pulling down.
3794ὀχύρωμα ochurōma okh-oo'-ro-mah From a remote derivative of G2192 (meaning to fortify, through the idea of holding safely); a castle (figuratively argument) KJV Usage: stronghold.
3053λογισμός logismos log-is-mos' From G3049; computation, that is, (figuratively) reasoning (conscience, conceit) KJV Usage: imagination, thought.
2507καθαιρέω kathaireō kath-ahee-reh'-o From G2596 and G138 (including its alternate); to lower (or with violence) demolish (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: cast (pull, put, take) down, destroy.
5313ὕψωμα hupsōma hoop'-so-mah From G5312; an elevated place or thing, that is, (abstractly) altitude, or (by implication) a barrier (figurative)
KJV Usage: height, high thing.
1869ἐπαίρω epairō ep-ahee'-ro From G1909 and G142; to raise up (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: exalt self, poise (lift, take) up.
1108γνῶσις gnōsis gno'-sis From G1097; knowing (the act), that is, (by implication) knowledge KJV Usage: knowledge, science.
The tools of our strategy are not carnal, fleshy, but are powerful to the extinction and demolition of fortified castles and demolishing conscience bulwarks, or high reasonings that rise up against the knowledge of God. That is a lot to recognize. Paul is not telling us that our clothing of light is weak or inferior, but instead like a nuclear bomb. Everything against the knowledge of God is destroyed, no matter how high or how strong. We should be using our tools of light. How can we win the lost without shedding light into their thinking? With this tool utilized outside the POW compound, even the prisoners on the inside will notice the light outside. That’s when the POW’s will want to be set free and start a prison riot.
If we stay quiet we will never illuminate the captives. Then the false apostles and prophets will blind the minds of the prisoners. But the weapons we just noted will disintegrate the enemy.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (AMP) For such men are false apostles [spurious, counterfeits], deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles (special messengers) of Christ (the Messiah).
14 And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light;
15 So it is not surprising if his servants also masquerade as ministers of righteousness. [But] their end will correspond with their deeds.
2 Corinthians 11:14G2532For G3756it is not G2298surprising G1473[3himself G1063for G3588 G4567Satan] G3345to change appearance G1519into G32an angel G5457of light.
3345LSJ Gloss: μετασχηματίζω to change the form of
Dodson: μετασχηματίζω I change the outward appearance, transfigure, adapt I change the outward appearance (the dress, the form of presentment) of something, transfigure; I adapt.
Strong's: μετασχηματίζω to transfigure or disguise; figuratively, to apply (by accommodation) Derivation: from G3326 and a derivative of G4976;
KJV Usage: transfer, transform (self).
Thayer:
μετασχηματίζω metaschēmatizō met-askh-ay-mat-id'-zo From G3326 and a derivative of G4976; to transfigure or disguise; figuratively to apply (by accommodation) KJV Usage: transfer, transform (self).
If satan transforms into a messenger of light, our nuclear light bomb of truth will destroy him and his facade. But notice, satan’s followers also transfigure into messengers of light, or sons of light. They are not true light, phos, they are pretending. This is why it is our obligation to announce, in love, the light. It doesn’t matter if the sinful acts are done by Pastors, Preachers, Rabbi’s, public figures, friends, or family. Light must infiltrate the minds of those who hear of this evil behavior to disintegrate the false light and false ideas that people will try to build into a stronghold for someone else. Paul has some strong words for us.
Ephesians 5:3-15 (AMP) But immorality (sexual vice) and all impurity [of lustful, rich, wasteful living] or greediness must not even be named among you, as is fitting and proper among saints (God's consecrated people).
4 Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness [to God].
5 For be sure of this: that no person practicing sexual vice or impurity in thought or in life, or one who is covetous [who has lustful desire for the property of others and is greedy for gain]—for he [in effect] is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no one delude and deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments [for these sins], for through these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and disobedience.
7 So do not associate or be sharers with them.
8 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light].
9 For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life.
10 And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him].
11 Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of or mention the things that [such people] practice in secret.
13 But when anything is exposed and reproved by the light, it is made visible and clear; and where everything is visible and clear there is light.
14 Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light.
15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),
Paul sums up these ideas nicely. Walk as children of light. Be a sharp contrast to darkness so as to expose, reprove, and convict the darkness that pursues all of us. Now when something is exposed and reproved by the light, it is made clear, and when we speak up and speak out we make everything visible and clear. That’s when we let the light in. That is nuking the darkness.
This is not a hard saying, but it does take a bit of wisdom and finesse. We do not beat people over the head with our Bible, we do not yell and scream at the prisoners. Remember, they do not know that they are imprisoned, whether POW’s or in prisons on the outside of the camp. What we do instead is to speak in love, but with authority. If someone in the public view is caught in sinful behaviors we simply state that those behaviors are unacceptable and we all need to correct our thinking regarding the subject. We use our tools of light to expose the will of God. Do Christians think that God wants women to be harassed at their place of employment? Do Christians believe that women are “less than men” in life and can be treated abusively? If you don’t believe that nonsense then say so. Stand up for your own little girls, so that they don’t have to inherit a social system that belittles them because of their gender. Don’t allow darkness to beat forward. Even though we know that that means the Day of the Lord is moving closer each day, we don’t know how long that will be. What will we say to Jesus when we stand before Him? Will we show him our nice, shiny, clean, tools that he gave us to clothe ourselves, and point out how well we kept them? Or will we show Jesus our dented, blunted, scratched, blood stained, tools that he gave us to clothe ourselves, and point out we are ready for a new wardrobe?
