4 Ways You Can Be The Light of the World

Jesus is the light of the world. Christmas makes it so easy for us to remember the light that shines from the Lord. This season is all about God’s love for us.

His light is what brings us out of the darkness. His light brings us and many others hope especially around Christmas time. It seems like it shines brighter during the holidays because we all are in the spirit and help make it shine. Christmas brings us all closer in unity and ultimately makes the light of Christ within us all shine so much brighter.

Think about all the Christmas lights you see all over your town and in people’s homes. The light draws to our eyes and makes us focus on it. Not only that but those lights truly bring us all joy. For a small moment, it almost makes us forget about everything we are dealing with as we draw our eyes toward the lights.

Next time, you’re out and you see some Christmas lights, try to look around at the faces that are around you. You will notice that the lights beam off of their face and brightens them. The joy resides in their smile even if it’s for a short moment.

While Christmas lights are only during a season they help remind us of the true meaning of the Christmas season and the true source of light. May we all strive to shine the light of Christ throughout the year and not only during Christmas.

What Does the Light of the World Mean?

Jesus is the light of the world because He is the very source of light. It says so in John 8:12:

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

He is declaring Himself to be the light of the world, the exclusive source of spiritual light. Light is the source of goodness and that is exactly who God is. Reading the books of the Bible and memorizing scripture helps us understand the meaning of His light.

It’s a symbol of goodness, knowledge, holiness, wisdom, grace, hope, and the revelation of God. While darkness is the exact opposite being full of evil and sin. Light will always outshine and overpower the darkness.

Jesus is the Light of the World

Imagine coming home at night to a dark house with no lights on. As soon as you turn on a light, the projection of the light spreads to your eyes and everything starts becoming lighter. The dark is no longer there.

Jesus is the only source of light that is available to us. The light of the world is also the light of His Truth, the light of His Word, and the light of eternal life. We need to understand that with true light we don’t have to walk in spiritual darkness when we receive salvation.

Just like the light, the light of Christ shines in the darkness, even in the darkest of hearts, and places. It’s an amazing thing to think about the sunlight and how plants are automatically drawn to it. Especially sunflowers as they will face toward the sun.

When there is no light, it’s almost as if it’s infused inside of them. This causes sunflowers to draw to one another to gain light when there is no sunlight. It’s an automatic draw for them. Just like the sunflowers, when there is darkness, we can be the light of Christ in this dark world.

Just like the sunflowers, when there is no light, we can shine our light to draw people in. Sometimes the light of another person can really open eyes and a perspective to who the true source of light is.

Light exposes evil, and the enemy hates the light. When we shine Christ’s light more and more the enemy will try to destroy us even more. He knows that the light is powerful and he will do everything that he can to make sure it doesn’t stay lit.

Even the moon reflects the light from the sun which is exactly how we Christians should reflect the light of Christ every day. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the light is evident, and even more so when we walk by faith.

Ways You Can Be the Light of the World

Being the light of the world starts with following the true light, Jesus Christ. This can sometimes seem overwhelming but the shoes aren’t so big to fill. We all need to just try our best to live every day for Christ and be intentional, and purposeful with our actions and our words.

All in a way that is pleasing to God. Just like Him, we need to be showing kindness, compassion, and love towards our neighbors which includes our enemies. We need to look for opportunities daily and pray to ask God to show them to us. By trying every day and letting God direct our steps, our light will shine brighter.

1. Reflect Christ

This one is often talked about within Bible study or in church. Reflecting Christ is exactly how we can shine and reflect His light. Getting to know our heavenly Father by intentionally trying to draw closer to Him, and reading the Bible all help with this.

The better we know God, the easier it is for us to be like Christ. Studying the Bible can help us understand the characteristics of God. We can apply those characteristics every day to reflect Him. Showing love, compassion, forgiveness, and the fruit of the spirit reflects His light through our actions.

The Holy Spirit is inside of Christians and all we need to do is ask for help, guidance, and for the opportunities that the Lord wants us to partake in. We come in contact with many people daily, some who are Christians, and some who aren’t. God ordains and guides our every step. Including the people, we interact with on a daily basis and even the strangers we pass by.

Jesus shed His blood for us and is naturally a giver. Just like Him, we need to give wholeheartedly. Giving doesn’t always mean money or even actual gifts. You can bless others by giving your time volunteering, helping someone in need, or having a conversation. These are all opportunities to shine God’s light.

It doesn’t matter what or how you give as long as you do it with pure intentions and a good heart. The Lord blesses you and the receiver.

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2

2. Lift Others Up

As we read in Proverbs, good words are like honey for the soul. God created us for community and unity. When two or three are gathered together He is there among them as they pray together as sisters and brothers in Christ. Lifting each other up, whether it’s your neighbor, stranger, or even an enemy, is a wonderful way to reflect Christ and His light.

Being the light is sharing the source of good. A good friend is someone who is there for another person without any cruel intention and someone who lifts them up with encouraging words. Encouragement is also what brings out the light from you and can help others discover the light they can have as well.

“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

3. Share the Gospel

Another great way to be the light of the world is by sharing the Bible which is full of light and Truth. Encouraging and lifting others up is a wonderful thing but nothing is more powerful than the Word of God. The Bible is the only book that can share the ultimate light of Christ.

By sharing the Gospel, we share the light inside of us, and it helps us show others who the true source of light really is. This is a wonderful opportunity to help someone who is lost and walking in darkness find the Lord.

There are so many ways outside the church to share the gospel. As always, seek the Lord, and pray for His guidance. Give thanks in every circumstance even during life’s challenges. This is what also shines the light of Christ through you. Sometimes we are the only “Bible” others see.

We can share the gospel through the way we talk, live our lives, and through our actions. The way we love and our attitude says a lot about who we are and who we follow. People may see you facing a difficult time in your life but yet you are still full of light and joy. They will wonder how you are getting through times so difficult and they will desire to have what you have. Your light will shine.

You can also shine the light of the world by practicing and displaying humility. Serving others is one of the ways we can serve God. It’s having an attitude of servitude. Just like Jesus displayed the perfect example of humility by washing the disciple’s feet, it’s important for us to stay humble and to always try our best to do the right thing.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

4. Have Unwavering Faith

Reflecting Christ and the light is not always an easy road. Trying to shine the light of the world will be evident to our enemy. Evil doesn’t want the light because the enemy knows how the light can overpower and outshine the darkness. The more we shine the light and reflect who God is, the more the enemy sees us as a threat to him.

The enemy is always lurking around. He will try to destroy the people who are really following the Lord and reflecting His light. It’s important for us to always keep our eyes fixed and focus on the Lord. To put on the full armor of God and to be ready when the enemy starts knocking on our door.

It’s not about if, it’s about when the enemy will attack. We must be so focused on Christ that our faith is unwavering. Loving and trusting the Lord should be something we work towards every day. Trust helps us stay focused and keeps our eyes open.

Satan will try his best to destroy the light of the world that you shine by using tactics (some are easily hidden), but God expects and empowers us to keep being the light. We must stand firm on the foundation of Christ and His Word will help us not to get distracted.

Don’t hide your light. Hiding it from the world doesn’t do any good, and it certainly doesn’t stop the enemy either. Don’t let the trials and tribulations you are experiencing cloud your light. The spark of the light shines the brightest when no one expects it.

We are not perfect but with prayer and supplication, we can ask the Lord for strength in shining His light. To fully be present in the life He wants us to live just as He planned for us all.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Light of the World Bible Verses

Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

Psalm 119:130 – “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.”

Isaiah 42:16 – “I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them.”

Isaiah 58:8 – “Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”

Daniel 2:22 – “He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.”

Matthew 4:16 – “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”

Matthew 5:13-16 – “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

John 1:5 – “And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

John 1:7-9 – “This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.”

John 8:12 – “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 9:5 – “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

John 12:36 – “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 – “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:8 – “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”

Philippians 2:15 – “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

1 John 1:5-7 – “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”