“You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness” (1 Thessalonians 5:5).
As mentioned previously, the word ‘light” is often used to represent truth, goodness, and integrity in a Biblical context. On the other hand, “darkness” is commonly used to describe the qualities of spiritual insensitivity, immorality, ungodliness, or the consequences that accompany inappropriate behavior. In fact, the Scriptures employ this word-picture in a surprising variety of ways. For instance…
“But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble” (Proverbs 4:19 NIV).
“You false prophets! You who lead his people astray! You who cry ‘Peace’ to those who give you food and threaten those who will not pay! This is God’s message to you: ‘The night will close about you and cut off all your visions; darkness will cover you with never a word from God. The sun will go down upon you, and your day will end'” (Micah 3:5-6 TLB).
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:1-5 KJV).
“Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14 GW).
One commentator develops this idea with the following insight…
“Because believers have been delivered from the domain of darkness, they are taken out of the night of sin and ignorance and put into the light of God. Because Christians are in the light, they should not sleep in spiritual indifference and comfort, but be alert to the spiritual issues around them. They are not to live like the sleeping, darkened people who will be jolted out of their coma by the Day of the Lord (v. 7), but to live alert, balanced, godly lives under control of the truth.” (1)
The person who isn’t careful to walk in the light of God’s Word is always in danger of being overtaken by the darkness. Therefore, this passage should encourage us to prayerfully read the Scriptures each day. As we’re reminded in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps, a light that shows the path I should take” (ERV).
(1) MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (1 Th 5:6). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.