“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).

In the previous two articles, we took note that Jesus said “You are the light of the world”: not “You might be,” “You should try to be,” or “Maybe someday you will be mature enough to be….” We are the light of the world, but sometimes we hide that light. A common way of hiding Christ’s light is by conforming with the people around us, trying to look more like them than Jesus.

Because we try to fit in, we might hide the light by being quiet when we should speak. We might not say something because it will be unpopular. Some Christians say too much, trying to witness and quote Scripture without living a godly life. However, many others are more likely to say too little.

Most Christians know the story of Peter. He denied knowing Jesus three times during His trial before His crucifixion. Several people recognized him, asking things like “Aren’t you one of His disciples?” Each time, Peter denied it, trying to hide the fact that he was one of Jesus’ closest followers (see, e.g., John 18:15-18, 25-26). Peter wanted to blend into the crowd, so he pretended that he did not know Jesus.

Peter may have had another reason to hide his light that night. He was not the only disciple to follow Jesus to His trial. Another disciple (probably John) was known to the high priest, so the two of them were able to enter the courtyard to observe the trial. John was apparently not afraid to be seen by those who knew about his relationship with Christ, but Peter was.

John 18:26 tells us that the last time Peter denied knowing Jesus, it was in response to someone who was “related to the one whose ear Peter cut off” in the Garden of Gethsemane (John 18:10). Sin and its aftermath (guilt, fear that others will find out what you did, etc.) will dim our light. Peter would eventually be restored as a leader among the disciples and become a bold preacher who was not afraid to be recognized as one who had been with Jesus. But as long as sin, guilt, and shame controlled him, he hid his light, choosing instead to blend in with whatever light the world could offer.

We might also hide the light by ignoring the needs of others. Jesus said that we shine our light by letting people see our good works. “Good works” is not the same as moral purity. Many Christians see the phrase “good works” in the Bible and think, “I don’t fornicate, steal, or take drugs, so I must have good works.” Whenever the New Testament speaks of good works, it speaks of direct action that Christians take that blesses others:

“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me” (Matthew 25:35-36).

“What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself” (James 2:14-17).

If we are going to shine the light, we have to step out of our comfort zone and show God’s love to those around us. People need to see God’s love shining out of us. They will see it most vividly when we are actively, perhaps sacrificially, bringing God’s love to others.

However, even if we do a good deed, we can hide the light by taking the credit and not pointing to God as the Source of our light. People might see your good deeds and compliment you. Do not take the credit. Take any compliments or appreciation and use it as an opportunity to point attention to God. “I can give only because Jesus has so freely given to me.” “I am doing this because, as a child of God and follower of Jesus, I cannot bear to watch people suffer when I can do something about it.” No erudite theology is needed; you do not need to present the “four spiritual laws.” Just let people know that God is the source of your light and love.

Do not give in to the temptation to hide your light. Let people see that you are a unique child of God and that He is worthy of more praise and worship than anything the world can offer. Do not let sin, guilt, or shame maintain a stronghold in your life. Speak when the time is right. Serve when the time is right, and always point back to Jesus, Who is your Source as the true Light of the World.

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.