Scripture to Read: Matthew 6:22–23
Since our eye is the lamp of our body, as Jesus said in Matthew 6:22, we must guard what we choose to look at, read, study, watch, and focus on. God reminds us in Ephesians 5:8–9, “for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth).” Notice that before we surrendered to Christ, we were darkness, but because Christ lives in us through His Holy Spirit, we are now Light through our Lord. Through our Lord Jesus Christ and His Light in us, we reap the benefit of His goodness, righteousness, and truth and as we walk in His fruit, His Light shines through us. So, if we’re choosing to watch, read, or focus on the things of this world—things that we know are darkness—then we dim the Light of Christ in us. God even tells us in Ephesians 5:11–12, “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.” God does not want us to participate in anything that will diminish His Light in us, but He wants us instead to expose the garbage of this world for what it is. When we expose the darkness, it protects us and it protects other Christians from being deceived by it. Let’s be sure we’re full of Christ and nothing of the darkness.
Challenge & Application
· Why must we guard what we watch, read, and focus on?
· How is Christ’s Light currently shining in and through you, and what darkness needs to be removed?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!