LIKE A FLOODLIGHT
The following scripture has been on my mind the last few weeks. In Luke 11:36, Jesus said: “If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” (NLT)
The definition of the word floodlight in the Greek language is: Like a portable lamp or candle that is very bright and full of light. Bright like lightning which illuminates an area with a bright glaring shining light all at once.
Jesus wants us as believers to live in such a way that our lives can be totally lived out before all who are watching us and show His goodness through our lives.
In this passage I also like the thought of “no dark corners.” This means nothing hidden, no sin that is secret that will only bring pain. God gets pretty serious about these things in His word. Here are a couple of areas where the bible show us how to live as shining lights:
Sexuality:
Ephesians 5:3-4 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. (NIV)
Job 31:1 “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.” (NLT)
1 Thessalonians 5:22 Avoid every kind of evil. (NIV)
Purity in the area of sexuality is important to God. He doesn’t want us to be tripped up by this or any other dark corner in our lives. He wants us to live in a way that will glorify His name and bless others.
Gossip:
Proverbs 16:28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. (NLT)
2 Corinthians 12:20 For I am afraid that when I come to visit you I won’t like what I find, and then you won’t like the way I will have to act. I am afraid that I will find you quarreling, and envying each other, and being angry with each other, and acting big, and saying wicked things about each other and whispering behind each other’s backs, filled with conceit and disunity. (TLB)
The Greek for “saying wicked things” and “whispering behind each other’s backs” is: defaming, secret, whisperings. If you have to whisper it, then perhaps you shouldn’t say it at all.
Have your heard about the church gossip Mildred, who was a self-appointed monitor of the church’s morals? She always kept sticking her nose into other people’s business. Several members did not approve of her extra-curricular activities, but feared enough to maintain their silence. She made a big mistake, however when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town’s only bar one afternoon.
She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing! Frank, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away. He didn’t explain, defend, or deny.
He said nothing. Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred’s house, walked home …and left it there all night. Of course Mildred is fictional. But don’t you love Frank? LOL!
We need to be especially careful with our words concerning others and concerning leaders.
Psalm 133:1, 3b 1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! 3b …For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. (NIV)
The result of living pure and following Jesus in these ways and others will be:
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (NIV)
Living with no dark corners in our lives will result in glorifying God and having an impact “like a floodlight” for Him!!!