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“That Darkness”
I John 2:11
The word darkness is found over 140 times in the bible. It is used both literally and figuratively.
Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Pr 4:19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
Darkness as in Genesis 1:2 Literal darkness as in the black of night absence of light.
Darkness in Proverbs 4:19 Figuratively for obscurity, want of clearness, A state of being intellectually clouded. Ignorance.
I want to deal with “That darkness” in the figurative sense.
Look at a couple of other verses with me.
Mt 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Mt 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness
I. Definite lines of demarkation. I John
1:5-6
· In creation God separated the light from the darkness.
· In salvation God turns us from darkness to light. Acts 26:18, I Thess. 1-5
II. Deception of the darkness Eph. 5:6-8
· Deception of sin I Jn 2:11 …he that hateth his brother…
· Deception of satan I Corinthians 4:3-6
III. Dullness to the darkness – I John 1:5-7,
Psalm 119:105, Pro. 6:23
· Lack of discernment
· Lack of wisdom
· Life of carnality
· Living both apathetically an pathetically
Apathetically toward souls, pathetic in service to the savior.
IV. Devoted to the darkness Proverbs 1:22, John
3:19
(ILL)In Munchausen syndrome, the affected person exaggerates or creates symptoms of illnesses in themselves in order to gain investigation, treatment, attention, sympathy, and comfort from medical personnel. In some extremes, people suffering from Munchausen's Syndrome are highly knowledgeable about the practice of medicine, and are able to produce symptoms that result in multiple unnecessary operations. For example, they may inject a vein with infected material, causing widespread infection of unknown origin, and as a result cause lengthy and costly medical analyses and prolonged hospital stay. The role of "patient" is a familiar and comforting one, and it fills a psychological need in people with Munchausen's. It is distinct from hypochondria in that patients with Munchausen syndrome are aware that they are exaggerating, while sufferers of hypochondria actually believe they have a disease.
The one who suffers from Munchausen is certainly devoted to the symtoms of illness..
Often we are devoted to a life of darkness by an unwilliness to receive instruction, repent or admitt our sin.
Truth is we love and feel like we need or are entitled to “That Darkness” that belongs to me. The ole “SOMEBODY DONE ME WRONG SONG” Many would rather be the victim of darkness then to come out of into the light of a victorious life through the Glorious Gospel and the application of the word of God by faith to their life.
Addictions, anger, pride, unforgiveness, lying, apathy, unfaithful pathetic service and prayer, are all syptoms of “That Darkness” which we allow in our lives.
V. Deliverance from the “That Darkness”
– Romans 13:12
Come to Christ by faith believing the word of GOD.
· Willing to let the light of God shine on “That Darkness” your darkness.
a. If you are lost by believing the gospel of Grace.
b. If you are saved. Confess what ever “That Darkness” may be and begin today Walking in the Light, with the Light, Knowing the Light of the world is JESUS!
· Willing to cast off darkness (dealing with sin HIS way) Repentance
· Willing not to wait or procrastinate. John 12:35-36