Flipping the Switch on the Darkness of Condemnation

 by Barbara Latta

Darkness is the catalyst that propels us toward light.

Several years ago my husband and I toured some caverns in the state of Virginia. The

Without light nothing can be seen.

stalactites and stalagmites were impressive and the constant dripping of water told the story of how these rock columns were formed. When all the tourists were in place, the park ranger told everyone to be perfectly still. He turned out the light and the darkness that pervaded the space was as thick as a solid brick wall. Nothing could be seen, not even my hand one inch from my face. 

The thought shot through my mind that without light we couldn’t get out of this hole in the ground. After a few seconds of total darkness panic had almost set in. Soon the guide clicked on multi-colored lights that had been strategically placed inside the cave and the moist cavern walls reflected the light like a rainbow. Sighs of relief were heard through the group as the lights came on. This darkness had been physically felt.

But there is another kind of darkness we all experience at one time or another in our spiritual lives and that is condemnation and guilt. When guilt weighs us down it can feel like we are in a dark cave with no hope of finding light again. Hopelessness and depression are anchors holding us captive to the pain of past sins and failures.

Because humans were not created to like darkness, other than for sleep, we try to avoid the absence of light unless we are trying to hide. Sin causes us to want to shun anything that

God's word is a lamp to our feet and
a light to our path.

exposes the deeds, but it also brings blackness to the soul. The God-shaped void will always drive a person toward a solution to get out of the pain caused by disobeying Him, but poor choices lead to more darkness rather than the sought after relief.

The answer for this darkness is the light switch of the Word of God. He tells us “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105 NIV). When we meditate on what God says about us and ignore condemning thoughts, a rainbow of hope shines on our hearts and the heaviness of condemnation is lifted.

When we are in a dark room even a pin hole of light can lead us to the way out. Once we have found the door, we can let in more light. Likewise, the more of the Word of God we put into our minds, the more we walk out of the darkness that plagues us and we are released out of the prison.

Condemnation and guilt were buried in a dark cavern with Jesus. Our part is to leave them buried there and remember that resurrection made light win over darkness.  All we have to do is flip the switch.

Which scriptures flip the switch for you? Share your thoughts.

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