Living as Children of Light: Finding Victory Over Darkness

In a world increasingly fascinated with darkness, fear, and death, how do we as believers navigate seasons that seem to celebrate the very things Christ came to conquer? The answer lies not in retreating into fear, but in boldly stepping forward as children of light, secure in the victory Jesus has already won.

Evil is real. The demonic is real. Darkness is real. These aren't comfortable truths, but they're truths nonetheless. We live in a culture that has normalized darkness to such an extent that what once shocked us has become entertainment. From video games glorifying violence to movies celebrating the occult, the enemy has worked tirelessly to desensitize us to spiritual warfare.

But here's the greater truth: Jesus conquered sin, death, and darkness. And because of the gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ—we live with courage, hope, and confidence as children of light.

The apostle Paul wrote powerfully about this reality in Colossians 2:13-15. When we were dead in our trespasses, God made us alive together with Christ. He forgave all our sins, wiping out the handwriting of requirements that stood against us. But He didn't stop there. He disarmed principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them through the cross.

Think about that image. Jesus didn't just defeat the enemy privately—He embarrassed him publicly, stripping him of authority and parading him through the streets as a conquered foe.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 that "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

This is crucial to understand: our battle is not against people. Your difficult coworker isn't your enemy. Your challenging neighbor isn't your enemy. The person who hurt you isn't your enemy. We're fighting against spiritual forces of darkness that operate in the unseen realm.

But notice what Paul says just before this warfare passage—he talks extensively about unity. Unity between believers, unity in marriages, unity between parents and children. Why? Because if we don't walk in unity, we'll turn our weapons on each other instead of the real enemy.

When we understand who our true enemy is, everything changes. We stop seeing people as problems and start seeing them as prisoners who need liberation. We stop being afraid of contamination and start recognizing that we carry the greater power—the Holy Spirit within us.

Consider this simple truth: you can take the smallest flashlight into the darkest room, and when you turn it on, the darkness must flee. Darkness never overcomes light. Never.

This is why believers should never tremble at the presence of darkness. Yes, we should be wise and discerning. Yes, we should avoid opening doors to the demonic through foolish entertainment choices or occult practices. But we should never be afraid.

Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. That's not just a nice saying—it's a reality we must embrace. When you come into contact with someone operating in darkness, the power of God in you is greater than any demonic force in them.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 26:2 that "like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so a hastily spoken curse does not come to rest." Just as a bird flies around without finding a place to build a nest, curses and evil schemes may flutter around believers but will find no resting place in their lives.

Paul writes in Ephesians 5 that we were once darkness—not just in darkness, but actually darkness itself. At some point, every one of us influenced the kingdom of darkness. But now, in Christ, we are light in the Lord. And Paul's command is simple: "Live as children of light."

What does this mean practically?

It means we stop playing with sin. We stop entertaining darkness. We stop compromising with the world's values. Instead, we walk differently, speak differently, and think differently.

C.S. Lewis once wrote, "I believe in Christianity as I believe in the sun that has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." The gospel doesn't just save us from darkness—it illuminates everything in our lives. Suddenly we can see clearly. We can avoid the cobwebs of sticky situations, the branches of painful decisions, and the messes of sinful patterns.

So how do we live this out, especially during seasons that seem to celebrate darkness?

First, we ask: Does this activity celebrate fear, death, or darkness? Or does it showcase the hope, love, and life of Jesus?

Second, we aim: Can I do this in a way that honors Jesus and blesses others?

Third, we act: Will my involvement create space for prayer and gospel conversations?

The devil has no day. No season belongs to him. Every day, including the darkest ones on the calendar, belongs to the Lord. So instead of retreating in fear, we advance in faith. Instead of shutting our lights off and hiding, we turn them on brighter than ever.

Perhaps you're reading this and realizing you've been living in fear rather than faith. Maybe you've been so focused on avoiding darkness that you've forgotten to shine your light. Or perhaps you've never truly stepped into the light at all—you've never surrendered your life to Jesus.

The invitation stands today: Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. He came to bring you from death to life, from darkness to light. When you confess Him as Lord and surrender your life to Him, the scales fall from your eyes and you see everything differently.

You don't have to walk in fear anymore. You don't have to be intimidated by the enemy's schemes. You don't have to live as if darkness has any real power over you.

Because the truth is this: you serve a risen Savior. The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in you. And no weapon formed against you will prosper.

So walk confidently today as a child of light. The darkness may be real, but your God is greater. And in Him, you always walk on the victory side of every battle.