“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16; all Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible unless otherwise indicated).

Smoke from wildfires in Canada spread into the northeastern United States a few weeks ago. Even in mid-afternoon, with few “normal” clouds in the sky, some areas were dark as dusk for a while. The sky had an orange or gray haze that made everything look darker.

The sun was still shining, but obstacles were hiding it and preventing people from enjoying it. The same thing happens when it is cloudy or raining. It happens every night: The sun is still shining and visible over places like China or India when it is midnight in New York.

The light of Christ remains with us always, but like the sun, obstacles can dim or hide that light. It seems foolish to light a lantern, only to hide it under a basket, just as it would be silly to turn on a flashlight and hide it in the silverware drawer. However, Christians often make similar mistakes with the light of Christ. Even though He said that we are the light of the world—not that we can become the light or should try to be the light—we might hide His light.

So, how do we hide our light? The following paragraphs and a follow-up article will answer that question with the hope of answering a related question: How can we keep our light visible to those around us?

The first way that we hide our light is by conforming with the crowd. We want people to like us. We are afraid of rejection. Perhaps there will be consequences if we are “different,” especially when Scripture contradicts public policy, government mandates, and school or corporate diversity/equality/inclusion guidelines. Scripture frequently urges us to be separate, not intertwined with the world:

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14, English Standard Version).

Some translations use the phrase “mismatched” instead of “unequally yoked.” It envisions two poorly matched animals yoked to a cart or other farm equipment. It was one thing to pair a mature, strong bull or ox with a younger inexperienced one. Problems were likely if there were large size differences between them. Failure was inevitable if you yoked a bull with a sheep or a duck. They do not belong together.

Many Christians primarily apply this verse to dating or marriage. We use it to urge single people not to date unbelievers or immature or compromising Christians because if you do, you might marry a nonbeliever who will drag you down. That is a valid application of this verse, but it is incomplete.

As Christians, we need to surround ourselves with fellow believers. We need each other’s encouragement. We should be able to tap into one another’s faith, hope, love, joy, and strength to keep our light shining. When we become unequally yoked with nonbelievers, we might allow them to decide how much light we will shine. We might compromise our convictions. The people we want to please might become the “basket” that covers our light.

To allow the Lord’s light to shine through us, we cannot be conformed to this world. We must conform to God’s kingdom by allowing His Holy Spirit to transform our minds. We need the Word of God, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the positive influence of other believers to do this.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

Heavenly Father, Your Son Jesus Christ said that His disciples are the light of the world. At times I allow sin, fear, doubt, and other obstacles to hide that light. Enable me to remove anything that is hiding or dimming that light so that others may see Your Spirit working through me and glorify You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What obstacles may be hiding the Lord’s light in your life? How can you remove them? Share your thoughts below.

Copyright © 2023 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.