Jesus and the disciples were routinely opposed, rejected, hated on and violently assaulted. They were even put to death. The world hates the gospel, and the demons can’t stand Christ. So to be a follower of Jesus means we will also be hated and abused. Even if we do not directly speak out about the darkness, our lives will provoke a reaction in them.

Sadly many Christians today are quite hesitant about exposing stuff – be it that which is evil, false, ungodly or unrighteous. They will get in a huff if you dare to point out that which is wrong or harmful, and seem to think that we are called simply to be nice and never rock the boat.

Indeed, they can sometimes get more upset with the believers who point these things out than they do with what is being exposed. But we have full biblical warrant to let our light shine on the darkness, and to share truth in a world that lives on lies.

If we are standing up for biblical values and letting the light of Christ shine as we share truth and proclaim the gospel, then obviously those in darkness will react to the light – they will hate the light. Jesus had said this very thing in John 3:18-21:

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.

And it is not hard to see how this of necessity will be the case for the true believer. Simply being salt and light will expose the darkness and evil that is out there. The life of the Christian will convict others. These folks will get mad at you because you do not go along with their wicked ways and do not condone their immoral lifestyles. Simply being true to Christ will get many non-believers – and carnal Christians – quite upset, even infuriated.

Consider another passage of Scripture which is so often ignored by believers or at least played down. I refer to Ephesians 5:11 which says, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” The context (5:1-20) is about how believers should live in a dark and sinful world.

As to what the verb translated “expose” means, while the term can mean reprove, examine, rebuke, convince or convict, the idea of exposure is certainly included in all this. And again, a life committed to Christ and biblical commands will result in those who reject Christ to feel uncomfortable – even angry – being around such believers.

So simply to BE a Christian will offend and disturb some people. Our very lives – or more accurately, Christ living in us – will bring them conviction and discomfort. That cannot be avoided. People living in darkness do NOT like the light.

Both the Bible and church history offers countless examples of this occurring. I believe I have shared before just one example of this. When I and others were sharing the gospel in Amsterdam some decades ago while working with a missionary organisation, we saw this happen firsthand.

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