Jun 04

There is much hatred in the world, and Scripture prophecies that it will increase towards the end. Where does this hatred come from, and how does it grow? The world has been blinded by the god of this world to the light of the gospel (2 Cor. 4:4). Satan is one source of hatred.

But we must be careful not to place the blame for all evil in the world on the devil. Sinful man needs little help to spread the evil within to the outside world. The sinful soul is another source of hatred and darkness.

"Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him" (1 John 2:11).

Normally, we think of it taking a tremendously brilliant light, like the sun to blind a person. But here Scripture says that darkness can blind a person too. How is this possible?

There are fish that live in the deepest depths of the earth's oceans, where no sunlight ever reaches. They are blind. Because they have never seen the sun, their eyes, through lack of use, have become useless.

The same can happen to us. Unless we exercise our spiritual eyes by exposing them daily to the light of God's Word and presence--unless we stay in contact with the Light--we too can become blinded by the darkness that will then take over where the light does not penetrate.

Scripture for today: Matthew 6:22-23
Thought for today: The focus of my life is the eye of my soul.
Prayer for today: Lord, keep me focused on you, so that my light in you will not turn to darkness.

JUN 04