The Shining Light Prov. 4:18 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
Prov 4:18 says, “the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” We’re going to look at those things that provide a shining light for us as we go through life. No doubt we need light to keep from stumbling [Prov 4:19; Jn 11:9-10] in this terribly dark world [Jn 1:5, 3:19]. The following give us shining light:
The path of the just – Prov 4:18 – this path gets brighter and brighter as we get closer to the perfect day, the day of Jesus’ return. The reason for this is that when you first enter the path of the just, having entered from the darkness of the world, the light can be almost blinding. It’s like turning on the lights in a dark room. So, the Lord gives you a little light to get you started. You only need a little light at first. As you become accustomed to the light, you appreciate and enjoy the light more. And you use the light on the path of the just to guide you through your life. The path shines more and more for two reasons. First, things off this path are getting darker and darker. The darkest time is before the dawning of the day. Second, the closer you get to the source of the light, the brighter the light [the second coming Jesus is likened to the sun rise, and he is likened to the sun]. So, get on the path of the just and stay on it, no matter how uncomfortable it may be at first.
The word of God – 2 Pet 1:19; Ps 119:130, 105 – the word of God is the greatest source of practical spiritual light in the world. You can pick it up and read it any time of the day and night. When the Holy Spirit gives you these words by inspiration, you have the blessing of hearing directly and unmistakably from God. He tells you precisely what he wants you to know, what he wants you to do and how he wants you to do it. So, get in your Bible every day. Without reading and studying God’s Book you cannot walk in the light. It’s like driving your car at night without the headlights on. That’s dangerous!!
The presence of God – Job 29:2-5 – when you get saved, Jesus Christ abides in you; and Jesus Christ is the light of the world. The beauty of having Jesus in you is that you can yield to his presence in your life and he will lead you by his light in the way that he wants you to go. The easiest way to follow his light is to fellowship with him in prayer. Like Enoch, you can walk with God. You don’t walk ahead of him [impatience, impetuosity] and you don’t walk behind him [laziness, hesitancy], you walk with him [willingness, surrender]. He won’t mislead you. So, get with the Lord in prayer regularly so he can shed some light on your life.
The sons of God – Phil 2:15 – we are to shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. In order to do that you’ve got to be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke. That way younger brothers and sisters can follow your light as you walk along the path of the just. You will be a guide that they can safely follow. So, is your life exemplary enough that others can follow you along your path of life? If not, then you need to get the darkness out of your life so that others can see your light and follow you.
The single eye – Lk 11:34-36 – the single eye causes your body to be full of light. When your eye is single you only look at things that God wants you to see and you only look at them the way that God wants you to see them. That’s why you must be so careful to keep any darkness from entering your eye. Once you start looking at things with an evil eye, your whole body becomes full of darkness. And only God knows what kind of trouble you can get into then. So, make sure your eye is single so that your whole body will be full of light.
Conclusion: all of these things that provide shining light that we have mentioned are for saved folks. If you are lost then you need to get saved. You see, the gospel of Christ is also a shining light [2 Cor 4:4]. As long as you do not believe, the devil blinds your mind. When you trust Christ, the light of the glorious gospel of Christ shines unto you. You will never understand the truths of the word of God until you believe the gospel of Christ. So, receive Jesus Christ and get some light!! Things will start clearing up for you after that.