November 23rd, 2025
by Rev. Kevin C Benton
by Rev. Kevin C Benton
Walking as Agents of Light in a Dark World
In a world that often feels consumed by shadows, believers are called to something extraordinary—to be beacons of light that pierce through the darkness. This isn't about putting on a religious performance or adopting a holier-than-thou attitude. It's about understanding our fundamental identity and living it out authentically every single day.
From Darkness to Light
There's a deep truth tucked away in Ephesians 5:8 that deserves our full attention: "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." Notice the wording carefully—it doesn't say we were once *in* darkness. It says we *were* darkness. That's a complete identity shift, not just a change of location.
Before encountering Christ, we didn't just live in darkness; we embodied it. We were part of the problem, contributing to the world's brokenness. But something miraculous happened when we surrendered to Jesus. We didn't just get relocated from a dark place to a light place—our very nature was transformed. We became light itself.
This transformation comes with a responsibility: "Walk as children of light." It's not enough to simply possess the light; we must actively walk in it, allowing it to illuminate our path and the paths of those around us.
The Enemy's Strategy: Stealing Your Identity
Like a master chess player thinking several moves ahead, the enemy has a calculated strategy for every believer. His primary objective isn't just to make you stumble or to steal your possessions. His ultimate goal is to steal your identity in Christ.
Why? Because your identity as a child of light is the most dangerous weapon you possess against his kingdom. When you truly understand who you are in Christ, you become unstoppable. You walk with authority, speak with power, and live with purpose. The enemy knows this, so he works tirelessly to make you forget.
He starts small—a little white lie here, a bit of gossip there, a compromise that seems insignificant. These small concessions open doors. Once you've crossed one threshold, the next becomes easier. Before you know it, what once shocked your conscience barely registers. You've lost sensitivity to the light and become more comfortable with darkness.
But here's the good news: greater is He who is in you than any darkness that tries to creep back in. Greater is Christ within you than the lies, the backbiting, the jealousy, or whatever else threatens to dim your light. Darkness is always canceled out by light—that's a physical and spiritual law.
Being Salt and Light
Jesus used two powerful metaphors to describe believers: salt and light. Both are essential, and both serve multiple purposes.
Salt adds flavor to otherwise bland food. It also brings out existing flavors—like putting salt on watermelon to enhance its sweetness. But perhaps most importantly in ancient times, salt was a preservative, preventing decay and corruption.
As believers, we're called to add flavor to the world around us. We should make life better, richer, more meaningful for those we encounter. We preserve truth in a culture that constantly shifts its values. We prevent spiritual and moral decay by standing firm on God's Word.
However, there's a caution here. Salt applied directly to a wound causes intense pain and can even damage healthy tissue. But salt diluted in water—a saline solution—promotes healing without causing harm. This is the difference between speaking truth harshly and speaking truth in love. We're called to be healing agents, not ones who inflict unnecessary pain.
Light serves an obvious purpose: it allows us to see. Before electricity, people would light oil lamps to illuminate their homes. The idea of lighting a lamp and then covering it with a basket would be absurd—you'd defeat the entire purpose. Yet this is exactly what many believers do. We allow our light to be hidden under the basket of fear, insecurity, or the desire to fit in with the world.
The Lighthouse on the Hill
Jesus said we're like "a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden." Picture a lighthouse standing tall on a rocky coastline, its beam rotating through the night, warning ships of danger and guiding them to safety. That's our calling.
We're not meant to be on that hill puffed up with pride, looking down on others. We're there as a reflection of Christ, a reference point for those lost in the storm. When someone's life is falling apart, they should think of you as someone who has a genuine connection with God. When darkness threatens to overwhelm them, your light should be the beacon that draws them to safety.
This doesn't require a seminary/bible college degree or a special title. It doesn't demand extraordinary talents or abilities. All it requires is a surrendered heart that loves God and obeys His voice. That's it. A simple willingness to let your light shine can save someone from suicide, deliver them from depression, or prevent them from making a life-destroying decision.
Walking Daily in the Light
Being an agent of light isn't a one-time decision; it's a daily walk. Some areas of your life might be fully illuminated, shining brightly for Christ. But there may be one or two corners where darkness still lingers. The Holy Spirit will faithfully point these out—not to condemn you, but to help you clean them up.
When you keep revisiting old sins or patterns, it's a sign you're not yet fully free. True freedom means you stop going back. You stop entertaining what God has delivered you from. The Son has set you free, and you are free indeed—but you must choose to walk in that freedom daily.
Let Your Light Shine
The enemy is relentless. He won't stop trying to steal your identity and dim your light until he's completely defeated. But today, you can declare victory. You are the light of the world through Christ who lives within you.
Your light might be exactly what someone needs today. In your workplace, your neighborhood, your family—someone is watching. They're looking for authenticity, for hope, for evidence that God is real. They need to see your light.
So let it shine. Don't hide it. Don't apologize for it. Don't dim it to make others comfortable. The world has enough darkness. What it desperately needs is more children of light who will walk boldly, live authentically, and reflect the glory of Christ to everyone they meet.
Be that lighthouse. Be that city on a hill. Be the salt that preserves and the light that guides. Your identity is secure in Christ, and nothing the enemy does can change that—unless you let him convince you otherwise.
Walk as a child of light today and every day. The world is waiting.
In a world that often feels consumed by shadows, believers are called to something extraordinary—to be beacons of light that pierce through the darkness. This isn't about putting on a religious performance or adopting a holier-than-thou attitude. It's about understanding our fundamental identity and living it out authentically every single day.
From Darkness to Light
There's a deep truth tucked away in Ephesians 5:8 that deserves our full attention: "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." Notice the wording carefully—it doesn't say we were once *in* darkness. It says we *were* darkness. That's a complete identity shift, not just a change of location.
Before encountering Christ, we didn't just live in darkness; we embodied it. We were part of the problem, contributing to the world's brokenness. But something miraculous happened when we surrendered to Jesus. We didn't just get relocated from a dark place to a light place—our very nature was transformed. We became light itself.
This transformation comes with a responsibility: "Walk as children of light." It's not enough to simply possess the light; we must actively walk in it, allowing it to illuminate our path and the paths of those around us.
The Enemy's Strategy: Stealing Your Identity
Like a master chess player thinking several moves ahead, the enemy has a calculated strategy for every believer. His primary objective isn't just to make you stumble or to steal your possessions. His ultimate goal is to steal your identity in Christ.
Why? Because your identity as a child of light is the most dangerous weapon you possess against his kingdom. When you truly understand who you are in Christ, you become unstoppable. You walk with authority, speak with power, and live with purpose. The enemy knows this, so he works tirelessly to make you forget.
He starts small—a little white lie here, a bit of gossip there, a compromise that seems insignificant. These small concessions open doors. Once you've crossed one threshold, the next becomes easier. Before you know it, what once shocked your conscience barely registers. You've lost sensitivity to the light and become more comfortable with darkness.
But here's the good news: greater is He who is in you than any darkness that tries to creep back in. Greater is Christ within you than the lies, the backbiting, the jealousy, or whatever else threatens to dim your light. Darkness is always canceled out by light—that's a physical and spiritual law.
Being Salt and Light
Jesus used two powerful metaphors to describe believers: salt and light. Both are essential, and both serve multiple purposes.
Salt adds flavor to otherwise bland food. It also brings out existing flavors—like putting salt on watermelon to enhance its sweetness. But perhaps most importantly in ancient times, salt was a preservative, preventing decay and corruption.
As believers, we're called to add flavor to the world around us. We should make life better, richer, more meaningful for those we encounter. We preserve truth in a culture that constantly shifts its values. We prevent spiritual and moral decay by standing firm on God's Word.
However, there's a caution here. Salt applied directly to a wound causes intense pain and can even damage healthy tissue. But salt diluted in water—a saline solution—promotes healing without causing harm. This is the difference between speaking truth harshly and speaking truth in love. We're called to be healing agents, not ones who inflict unnecessary pain.
Light serves an obvious purpose: it allows us to see. Before electricity, people would light oil lamps to illuminate their homes. The idea of lighting a lamp and then covering it with a basket would be absurd—you'd defeat the entire purpose. Yet this is exactly what many believers do. We allow our light to be hidden under the basket of fear, insecurity, or the desire to fit in with the world.
The Lighthouse on the Hill
Jesus said we're like "a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden." Picture a lighthouse standing tall on a rocky coastline, its beam rotating through the night, warning ships of danger and guiding them to safety. That's our calling.
We're not meant to be on that hill puffed up with pride, looking down on others. We're there as a reflection of Christ, a reference point for those lost in the storm. When someone's life is falling apart, they should think of you as someone who has a genuine connection with God. When darkness threatens to overwhelm them, your light should be the beacon that draws them to safety.
This doesn't require a seminary/bible college degree or a special title. It doesn't demand extraordinary talents or abilities. All it requires is a surrendered heart that loves God and obeys His voice. That's it. A simple willingness to let your light shine can save someone from suicide, deliver them from depression, or prevent them from making a life-destroying decision.
Walking Daily in the Light
Being an agent of light isn't a one-time decision; it's a daily walk. Some areas of your life might be fully illuminated, shining brightly for Christ. But there may be one or two corners where darkness still lingers. The Holy Spirit will faithfully point these out—not to condemn you, but to help you clean them up.
When you keep revisiting old sins or patterns, it's a sign you're not yet fully free. True freedom means you stop going back. You stop entertaining what God has delivered you from. The Son has set you free, and you are free indeed—but you must choose to walk in that freedom daily.
Let Your Light Shine
The enemy is relentless. He won't stop trying to steal your identity and dim your light until he's completely defeated. But today, you can declare victory. You are the light of the world through Christ who lives within you.
Your light might be exactly what someone needs today. In your workplace, your neighborhood, your family—someone is watching. They're looking for authenticity, for hope, for evidence that God is real. They need to see your light.
So let it shine. Don't hide it. Don't apologize for it. Don't dim it to make others comfortable. The world has enough darkness. What it desperately needs is more children of light who will walk boldly, live authentically, and reflect the glory of Christ to everyone they meet.
Be that lighthouse. Be that city on a hill. Be the salt that preserves and the light that guides. Your identity is secure in Christ, and nothing the enemy does can change that—unless you let him convince you otherwise.
Walk as a child of light today and every day. The world is waiting.
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