God's Roadmap

Now may the Lord Jesus Christ and our Father God, who loved us and in his wonderful grace gave us eternal comfort and a beautiful hope that cannot fail, encourage your hearts and inspire you with strength to always do and speak what is good and beautiful in his eyes (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 TPT).


Friday, October 21, 2022

Overcome the Darkness of Condemnation with the Light of the Word

 


by Barbara Latta

October is mostly focused on darkness, fear, and the celebration of evil due to Halloween. The day promotes scary practices as fun. But if we comprehended the emptiness and fear associated with total darkness and separation from God we wouldn’t be laughing.

Years ago, Ken and I toured some caverns in Virginia. The cave walls, colorful lights, and stalactites and stalagmites were impressive until the lights went out. The tour guide flipped the switch and the most complete absence of light I have experienced wrapped eerie hands around me. I could feel the darkness.

Panic rose and started to overwhelm me as the thought occurred to my mind, “What if he can’t get the lights back on?”

Thankfully, the lights did snap back on, and relief flooded me.

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, we can feel like our souls are in a dark cave with no hope of finding light again. Hopelessness and depression are anchors satan uses to hold 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 want to hide. Sin causes us to seek to shun anything that exposes wrong deeds, but these actions also bring shadows 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 sadness rather than the sought-after relief.

The answer for shadows caused by condemnation 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.

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13 NKJV)

Condemnation and guilt were buried in a dark cavern with Jesus. Our part is to leave them buried there and remember that darkness is not part of our identity. 


Feel free to share your thoughts or more Scriptures to overcome condemnation and guilt. 

TWEETABLES

Overcome the Darkness of Condemnation with the Light of the Word (click to tweet)

Condemnation and guilt were buried in a dark cavern with Jesus. Our part is to leave them buried there and remember that darkness is not part of our identity. (click to tweet)

 

 

26 comments:

  1. Darkness does indeed envelop and swallow our energy my friend, which is why I think that guilt and remorse are part of Satan's arsenal for spiritual battle. Yet, we must remember that when we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit upon our true salvation, God's light of the world is permanently housed with us, and darkness MUST always flee from the darkness, While light chases away darkness, darkness can only exist in the absence of light. Such an important lesson to remember my friend. Thank you for your encouraging words!

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    1. Light is the first thing God created after the earth. This shows us how important it is to Him to conquer darkness. Jesus the light of the world was there then and came to earth to shine light in our souls. Thanks so much for your valuable input, J.D. Blessings!

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  2. Good morning, I really enjoyed reading the daily devotional for the 21st of October.. Thank you for the encouragement.

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    1. I am glad you were encouraged. Thanks so much for sharing. Blessings!

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  3. I've been in that cave with the lights out too. Very memorable. May humanity seek His light today. God bless, Barbara.

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    1. Nancy E. Head

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    2. Nancy, the dark caves leave a scary feeling, don't they? Eternity without God would be no light forever which is unimaginable. Thanks for shsring. Blessings!

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  4. Christina, my contact information is at the bottom of the About Page on this blog and on the sidebar. Thank you for asking. Blessings!

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  5. This is a great post, Barbara.
    We can sit in bright sunshine yet be in a dark place but the light of Christ Jesus can break through.
    Thank you for turning on the light for others.

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    1. Yes, Connie, soul darkness is only eliminated by the light of of God's lamp. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!

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  6. Thank you, Barbara.
    We can get in a dark place without realizing it. I had several negative things happen to me in the last several years. My daughter commented she thought I was going into a depression.
    After analyzing my situation, I could see she was right. I made plans to get out, to connect with friends, and to join groups.
    I also made it a point to sit on the deck if the sun is shining, listen and watch God's creation, talk to my
    heavenly Father and listen for His voice.
    These changes have been very beneficial to me physically, emotionally, mentally, and especially spiritually.
    Great post, Barbara!

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    1. Ethel, your wise decisions flipped the switch on the darkness that attacked you. We all need to remain aware of how the devil's accusations can drive us away from the light if we allow him to. I am thankful you found victory. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!

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  7. When the darkness of sin surrounds us, the only way to find light is to seek our Lord. We are blessed that He is only a prayer away when we need Him. In the dark, we stumble and fall, but Jesus brings light to a dark and sinful world and lifts us out of the darkness and into His light.. We are so blessed. Thank you, Barbara.

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    1. Yes we are so blessed, Katherine. Jesus came as the light of the world and rescued us from the darkness of sin and the devil's domain. When we seek Jesus we can shine. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!

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  8. The "light switch of the Word of God." A powerful visual of God's Word illuminating our lives and chasing away the darkness. I'm going to remember this one because it's noted in my prayer journal. Thank you for the inspiration!

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    1. I have needed to flip that switch quite often, Candyce. God gives us so many references to His light because He knows how much darkness will attack us. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!

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  9. You're right, Barbara -- even the tiniest bit of light can a difference for ourselves when we need that help or for others when a simple thing we say or do might be the encouragement they need. Darkness can seem all-consuming but that pinprick of light can make all the difference! Thanks for the reminder.

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    1. Our Christian family is one way we can receive light when we fall into those dark areas. Encouragement through other people is a gift from God. That's one reason He tells us to meet together. Thanks for sharing, Leigh. Blessings!

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  10. I really appreciate your emphasis on the Word of God. It has definitely been a light in my times of darkness. Thanks Barbara.

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    1. There is no light like the Word of God, is there? Thanks so much for sharing. Blessings!

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  11. I remember learning this truth and how freeing it is! Sin, failure, and new situations cloud this truth sometime, but truth remains. Thank you for this well-worded reminder.

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    1. "Sin, failure, and new situations can cloud truth." That is so true, Jeannie. Thankfully, the Word's light dissipates the clouds. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!

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  12. I have been in a cave where they have done that. It is shocking how fast the darkness envelops you. Such a great analogy and I love how you remind us that just a pin hole of light can guide our way. Beautiful.

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    1. When total darkness envelops us it is a scary feeling. We can be so thankful for God's light. Thanks for sharing, Jennifer. Blessings!

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  13. The darkness of a cave scared me and I grabbed my camera light to drive it away. Great message

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    1. I don't think I had my camera with me but that's a great idea. It shows how darkness flees at the presence of light. Thanks for sharing, Yvonne. Blessings!

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