Darkness Cannot Drive Out Darkness; Only Light Can Do That.

How can we drive out darkness from this dark world we live in? Martin Luther King Jr. answers that question in this great quote. Darkness cannot drive out darkness and hate cannot drive out hate. Only the light can drive out darkness and only love can drive out hate.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editorfor markalanwilliams.net.

On August 21, 2017, we had a solar eclipse that was visible here in the United States. This occurred because the moon came between the earth and the sun, blocking the sun’s light and causing the sky to darken for a few minutes. Then as the moon continued its orbit, the sun became visible again, driving out the darkness and revealing the light of day once more.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness because we need the light of the sun to do so. But, what if the sun had not reappeared and we were stuck in darkness? I realized how dependent we are on the sun for its light, heat and to grow the food that we eat. The sun is so powerful and essential for life.

Even without an eclipse this world can be a dark place. Many are looking for answers to social and moral problems that plague society. But, if we seek reform through government, politicians, laws, education and other means we will be disappointed. While these things can help, they cannot provide the cure that is needed.

This is because the solutions for hate, violence, racism, terrorism and war can never be found in man’s ideas. These issues are matters of the heart and mind and deeply rooted in our inherent sinful nature. Therefore, a different remedy is needed.

Thankfully, God’s Word contains the answer for the darkness and hate that are so prevalent in today’s world.

In the Bible light and darkness represent good and evil.

Light is good and God Himself is light.

Light is synonymous with God, goodness, holiness, love, salvation, wisdom, insight and understanding.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5 NIV)

Darkness on the other hand is bad and synonymous with evil, sin, ignorance, unbelief and separation from God.

• John 3:19 says, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (NIV)

• 1 John 2:11 says, “But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (NIV)

Darkness cannot drive out darkness because we need light to do so. In the same way that we need the light of the sun to dispel the darkness of earth, we need the light of the Son, Jesus to remove our spiritual darkness.

• John 8:12 says, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (NIV)

• John 1:4-5 says, “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (NLT)

Without Jesus in our lives, we are in a spiritual eclipse with no light to see.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness because we need the light of the Gospel. The only way the world can change is through the love and light of Jesus Christ in the hearts and minds of people.

2 Corinthians 4:6 says, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” (NIV)

To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. (Acts 26:18 ESV)

Through Jesus, we find the light and love that drive out darkness and hate.

We turn from darkness to light by accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior by faith and agreeing with Him that we are sinners in need of a Savior.

Then with the light of Christ, we become His light bearers.

Matthew 5:14-15 says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (NIV)

Our visible light drives out the darkness and brings glory to God.

Are you shining for God?

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Click here if you would like to receive Him now.

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” –Martin Luther King Jr. | CLICK TO TWEET

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• How to Survive Rejection and Find Acceptance Today

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• 3 Steps to Overcoming Betrayal and Building Trust Again

• Video vlog: Have You Been Pecked At?

• 6 Strategies to Handle Insults Without Becoming a Doormat

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth

Leave The Broken, Irreversible Past In God’s Hands…

…and step out into the invincible future with Him.

This quote by Oswald Chambers is a welcome invitation for us to leave the broken, irreversible past with God and step into the invincible future with Him.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.

On New Year’s Day, January 1, 1989, I attended a Presbyterian Church service that was refreshingly different. The music was upbeat and the band sang a song about saying goodbye to the past and moving forward in keeping with the theme of the day.

The Pastor spoke about how people look forward to a new year because they enjoy having a clean slate and a fresh start in life. He explained that in the same way, because of Jesus’ death on the cross, a person can be forgiven for all of their sins, have a fresh start and a new life in Him that lasts for all eternity.

The music and the message were medicine for my soul. I wanted forgiveness and a new life with Christ, so I went home and prayed asking Him to forgive my sins and become my Lord and Savior.

Sometimes the past can really leave us feeling broken and discouraged. We might be feeling the heavy weight of our sins and mistakes as I was and that can keep us from moving forward. As a result, we may be harboring feelings of guilt, shame, anger, unforgiveness, pain and regret.

We cannot change the past, but God says in Isaiah 43:18, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” (NIV)

There is a popular inspirational quote right now on social media that says,

“Don’t look back, you’re not going that way.” Unknown

Isaiah 43:19 says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (NIV)

God can make an oasis out of the dry and barren places of life.

Isaiah 43:25 says, “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.” (NLT)

Freedom begins with God’s forgiveness of our past, present and future sins.

1 Corinthians 1:30 says, “God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.” (NLT)

God has made a way for us to be made right with Him. He offers forgiveness if we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and His death on the cross as payment for our sins.

Romans 8:1-2 says, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” (NLT)

In Christ, we are free from condemnation, the past and the power of sin.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (NLT)

Leave the past in God’s hands and receive a new life in Christ.

There is hope for the future with God who is undefeatable, indestructible and invincible; because He has no equal.

Have you put the past in God’s hands?

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Click here if you would like to receive Him now.

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

Leave the broken, irreversible past in God’s hands and step out into the invincible future with Him.” Oswald Chambers | CLICK TO TWEET

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• How to Handle Guilt and Stop Holding a Grudge Against Yourself

• How to Take Control of Anger before it Takes Control of You

• 5 Ways to Deal with Regret and Move On Today

• Forgiving is So Important It’s Scary 

• 4 Ways to Find Contentment Now

• How to Renew Your Mind and Think More Positively

• Four Steps to Climb Out of a Pit of Depression

• How to Overcome the Agony of Discouragement and Find Hope Again

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth

In Trouble To Be Troubled…

When we are in trouble, the last thing we need is to have it doubled. But, so often that can happen if we react to our problems with anxiety and worry. The unintended result is that we double our trouble and make things worse.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.

It is so natural and human to become troubled when we encounter trouble and I am certainly no exception. But, by the grace of God, I believe I have learned some helpful tools.

In addition to daily prayer and Bible reading, I use Google as a quick way to locate Bible verses. Recently, I have been searching for verses on hope. Biblegateway.com and other Bible websites have key word search options to locate verses and have Bible commentaries as well.

In addition, watching and listening to the news can cause me to feel troubled. So, I limit myself and only watch the local and world news once each day. Some days I only watch one or the other but I don’t re-watch the news. I pray as I watch and then change the channel or turn off the television when I am done for the day.

We will all experience trouble in varying degrees as a result of living in a sinful and fallen world. Sometimes we are victims of another person’s actions and other times we bring it on ourselves.

Regardless of the source, the Bible clearly tells us that we can expect trouble in this world and in life.

Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble.” (NIV)

And Job 14:1 says, 

How frail is humanity! How short is life, how full of trouble! (NLT)

So, then the question is not whether we will have trouble, but how will we react to it when it comes?

Will we allow ourselves to be troubled in trouble?

The Lord tells us how to respond in John 14:27 which says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (NIV)

Jesus doesn’t say that being troubled isn’t a good idea, but He says don’t let it happen. We can make a choice to be troubled in trouble or not.

We generally become troubled because we feel anxious and worried. But, the Bible cautions us against these negative emotions.

• Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”(NIV)

• 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (NIV)

• Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” (NIV)

• Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (NIV)

Anxiety and worry are unproductive, unnecessary and even harmful for us. What can we do instead? We can pray, because prayer is productive, necessary and beneficial.

We can release our troubles to the Lord and put our faith and trust in Him.

We can meditate on and memorize Scripture. We can recite appropriate Bible verses and speak Biblically based affirmations to help us.

And we can choose to receive the peace of God as the following verses state.

Jesus said in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.” (NIV)

And in John 14:27 He said, “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” (NIV)

Psalm 29:11 says, “The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.”(NIV)

Psalm 4:8 says, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”(NIV)

2 Thessalonians 3:16 says,

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. (NIV)

Thankfully, we can seek the Lord and rely on Him when trouble comes. We don’t have to become troubled when we have trouble.

Are you enjoying the peace of the Lord today?

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Click here if you would like to receive Him now.

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

“In trouble to be troubled, is to have your trouble doubled.”–Daniel DeFoe | CLICK TO TWEET

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows…

• 7 Biblical Christian Mantras I Find Helpful

• 7 Ways to Pray When You’re Suffering

• How to Win Over the Sin of Worry

• 4 Ways to Find Contentment Now

• How to Renew Your Mind and Think More Positively

• Four Steps to Climb Out of a Pit of Depression

• How to Overcome the Agony of Discouragement and Find Hope Again

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth