What Jesus Did! 'Lovers of Darkness' — John 3:19

Saturday, February 19, 2022

[Continuing his talk with Nicodemus, Jesus said,] "And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil."
— John 3:19 NLT

Key Thought

We may tend to put non-Christians in different categories:
those who are actively involved in evil and the "bad sins,"
those who actively reject and oppose Jesus, and
those who passively reject Jesus but live "good lives."
While there is definitely a difference in the effects different people have on society in general and on others individually, Jesus also said there is no middle ground: We are either for him or against him. [1] But today's verse is about those whose actions are evil.

Some folks don't just reject Jesus; they hate God, Christianity, religion, Christians, and anything that smacks of wholesome living. Evil is real and controls the lives of those who give it safe harbor. Evil recoils from truth. Too often, some people end up rejecting the truth of God for a simple reason: They love how they are living and don't want to give it up.

Don't let the Evil One, whether it is through his enticement to evil or to "just" indifference, dull your spiritual senses so that you miss God's gracious and liberating truth. If you find yourself flirting with sin and evil, use the Joseph solution — get up and run away! [2] When evil is allowed a place to grow, it will ultimately lead us to flee the light like cockroaches scurrying for cover when the light comes on. If you are not fully committed to Jesus — or not committed at all, please continue with us in these daily devotionals based on the Gospel of John to learn about Jesus and what he offers. Choose to pursue light instead of darkness!

Let's keep our hearts set on Jesus and his righteousness.

[1] John 3:18; Matthew 12:30..
[2] Genesis 39:6-12.

Today's Prayer

Holy and righteous Father, keep my heart tuned to your Son's grace, love, and righteousness. Increase my hunger and my thirst for your righteousness. Kindle my desire to seek first your Kingdom and your righteousness. Give me a holy passion to live in your light. In Jesus' holy and mighty name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Colossians 1:19-23
  • Ephesians 2:1-2
  • Ephesians 6:12

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Illustration

Illustration of John 3:19 NLT — "And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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