Fear of the Dark?

 In this world we live in, there is a dark side and there is a side of light. Most Christians understand this and know what to expect from the dark side of this world. It consists of hate, antisemitism, evil activity, false faith movements such as cults, demented thinking, abortion and so many other evils. A Christian doesn’t have to look very far to see or even experience the dark side of this world. As a matter of fact, before we were saved, we were all living on the dark side in our sin. At that time, we didn’t even realize there was a dark side or that we were living in the dark.

But as John 1:4-5 tells us, Jesus brought light into the world and a light which the dark cannot overcome.

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.

Jesus is that light and He came to allow that light to shine into our lives. He came to bring salvation to us and has given us a way to escape the dark. For those of us who are saved, we look back, or should look back on occasion, and see the dark we lived in and thank Jesus for saving us out of that darkness. The light in the life of a Christian can never be put out. I know there is a teaching which says it can but when a Christian is truly saved, that salvation is eternal. Don’t be fooled into believing that lie. Jesus tells us in John 6:37-40,

 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”

These are the words of Jesus and Jesus doesn’t lie. He is not in the business of repossessing salvation and a sinner who is truly saved cannot give it back nor would he/she ever want to. Jesus doesn’t bring anyone into the light and then change His mind and then send them back into the dark.

Sometimes the dark comes knocking at your door; I literally mean physically knocking at your door. This happens in the form of Jehovah’s Witness, Mormons or maybe some other cult. They live in a works-based salvation darkness. Simply put, the more doors they knock on and spread their lies, the more points they score on their way to heaven (their idea of heaven which is another lie). Now, that’s not exactly how it works but that’s in the ballpark of the works-based salvation system for them. So, how do you react when you are face to face with one of these cult members? It will almost always be at a time when you least expect it or are prepared for it. So, are you afraid to talk with them? Are you afraid you don’t know enough about them to talk to them? Maybe you’re afraid you don’t know the Bible well enough to counter their lies. Do you clam up and say nothing or maybe you sic the dog on them. This is the dark and are you afraid of the dark?

Maybe you’re at work and your co-workers are not saved and they are always talking trash or telling dirty stories and jokes or maybe they simply enjoy picking on the Christian. How do you respond? You have to realize you are right in the middle of the dark but how do you respond to the dark? Do you panic? Do you allow them to continue to mock you and Jesus? Are you afraid of the dark? You are right among the enemy and they are on the attack. They are shooting round after round at you or around you. How prepared are you to seek the help of the Holy Spirit in this battle? Or, are you not prepared at all? Of course, the first thing you do is pray and ask for help. If you are aware enough to simply do that, you already have an advantage. John 4:4 tells us this:

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 

It's like a person who is a bully. He/she thrives on controlling other’s emotions and fear. But when he is smacked in the mouth (metaphorically of course), he’s not in control any longer and the bully backs off and knows he/she has lost that control. It’s the same for the Christian who has a fear of the darkness of this world and those who are enslaved by the dark. If the Christian doesn’t pray and seek the Lord’s help, he or she will continue to be under the control of the dark until they ask for that help. Remember, the darkness cannot extinguish the light. Jesus is the light and He cannot be overcome by the darkness of this world. For the Christian, it should be automatic to seek the Lord immediately and get His help. I’m not talking about the big brother beating up the bully. I’m talking about the big brother teaching you how to fight those battles.

When I was in Vietnam, I saw some guys do some things without thinking when it came to responding to an attack or ambush. I witnessed a fellow Marine give his own life to take out a machine gun to save the rest of us. He didn’t stop to think for a second; he simply went on the offensive. I often wondered how he could have done that. Then I had one of those experiences one night. We were expecting to be hit, or attacked, and we were on 50% watch, two men on watch at all times, and sure enough, we got hit. There were three other Marines about fifteen yards behind us sleeping in a small makeshift tent of sorts and when those bullets started flying, I was out of the hole and running back to get these guys up and to the fighting position. I never stopped to realize what I was doing, I just did it.

It was later when everything was calmed down that I had time to think how I had put myself in danger to save those guys. I’m not telling this story for likes or pats on the back. It’s a good personal example of how we should react when the darkness of this world goes on the attack. We, as Christians, shouldn’t slip down into the foxhole and hope the enemy just goes away. We have God’s word as a weapon and the Holy Spirit leading us. What more do we need? Is the darkness of this world greater than the Holy Spirit? No, it is not.

 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.   John 14:1

I have only given a few verses in this writing from the Bible which should encourage those who might fear the dark. There are many more encouraging verses and passages that are also encouraging and should build your faith in God’s almighty power over the darkness of this world. And one day that darkness will be defeated for good. Jesus has already won the war at the cross. Satan’s biggest tool when it comes to fear is death. But Jesus defeated that when He rose from the tomb. Christians should never fear death. When a Christian dies physically and is removed from this life, he/she is immediately ushered into the presence of God. So, what is there to fear concerning death? The answer is nothing. We have everything to hope for at physical death and nothing to fear. Those who are still living in darkness have everything to fear concerning physical death. They are then facing eternal death and condemnation while severely suffering in hell. And yes, hell does exist. Jesus has much to say about hell in His word, the Bible.

So, as a Christian, are you afraid of the dark? You have no need to be since the Holy Spirit lives inside of you and He is more powerful than anything the dark can manifest or bring into your life. I realize that newer Christians might not have matured to this point yet but keep reading the word and keep praying. God will continue to grow you closer to Him and teach you how to lean on Him in the battles with the dark.

Will those who do evil never learn?
    They eat up my people like bread
    and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord.
Terror will grip them,
    for God is with those who obey him.

 The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed,
    but the Lord will protect his people.

Psalm 14:4-6

 

Bill Petite