Deeds of Darkness

When we think of darkness the first thing that comes to mind is the absence of light…right. We can’t see in the dark; the sun goes down and, unless we have an alternative source of light, we can’t see where we’re going…we can’t see much of anything. That’s not good. Usually, however, the darkness we experience is not absolute, there’s usually some form of light helping us navigate the dim conditions we’re experiencing. Stars, the moon, the artificial glow of a town over the horizon; they can all contribute some light that will allow us to see somewhat. Absolute darkness is unusual…and daunting. I remember visiting a relative who had recently moved into a new house. It was holiday season and there were a lot of visitors staying for the night and I was given a small upper room that didn’t have any windows. I entered the room intending to go to bed and found there was no overhead light, Out of habit I closed the door intending to turn on a lamp next to the bed, but when I did that I couldn’t see anything…and I mean anything. The seal under the door blocked the light from the hallway and without a window I literally couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. I had never experienced that before. There’s almost always some source of light, however dim, that will allow us to see something. Our eyes adjust to the darkness and after a short time we can see enough to get oriented to our surroundings…but not in that room.

However, darkness isn’t always assessed as something negative that hinders our sight; it can also be viewed as something positive that provides an opportunity. It can allow us to hide. Being hidden might allow us to escape from danger, but it also might provide an opportunity for doing something we shouldn’t, doing something evil without any repercussions. This is, in part, what the above text from Scripture seems to be suggesting in the expression: the “deeds of darkness.” In his letter the Apostle Paul pointed to the secrecy associated with actions done in the dark; doing things without anyone knowing we’ve done them. He also used the phrase in his letter to the Romans, contrasting such actions with those informed by light saying:

The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:12)

He goes on to describe what such deeds might entail, pointing initially to various actions including sexual misconduct. There are various places in the Bible in which sexual behavior is assessed. Beginning with the Seventh Commandment against adultery to Paul’s listing of various versions of sexual misconduct in his first letter to the Corinthians; it has been made plain that the Lord gives focus to the way we conduct this aspect of our lives. (Exodus 20:14; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10) So it’s obvious that “deeds of darkness” include deviant sexual behavior.

However, having said that, I think it’s important to understand that Paul had a wider picture in mind when using this expression: the “deeds of darkness.” In his first letter to the Corinthians he recognized “unrighteousness” to include such things as thievery, covetousness, reviling, and swindling, along with various types of sexual misconduct. (1 Corinthians 5:10-11) And lest we forget, the Lord doesn’t just focus on our actions. He also examines our hearts and calls us to pursue a renewal of both our actions and our thoughts.

So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and truth. (Ephesians 4:17-24)

God is calling us to a maturity of self; a maturity in which we abide in the light: in the Light of the Lord’s countenance. He doesn’t want us to just look like Christians, talk like Christians or even simply act like Christians; He wants us to be Christians inside and out. I say this without assuming a posture of perfection. It’s a challenge just to hear my own words. We all need to pursue this goal. And in order to achieve it we need to keep that goal in mind always. If we don’t the tendency is to fall short and slip into the shadows where the light isn’t so strong, rendering us vulnerable to the strategies of the prince of darkness. (Ephesians 2:2)

In order to succeed at this we need to take into account our common tendency to get used to the darkness. It’s familiar; we’re almost always surrounded by people who live in the darkness. The world functions in the darkness; it conducts its affairs in the darkness. Light renders things conspicuous, and that can be uncomfortable. Darkness can become so familiar that we have difficulty making the adjustments needed to walk in the light. This principle was demonstrated to me when I attended a workshop conducted by a professional jazz musician. The workshop was presented in the early afternoon at a jazz festival I was attending. When the man stepped up to the podium he remarked that he wasn’t used to being awake at that hour of the day. His work was almost always conducted at night at jazz clubs and other venues, and because it kept him up late into the night, his habit was to sleep into the afternoon. The same principle can apply to the familiar darkness resulting from the absence of God in the affairs of our lives. What informs our hearts and minds when we’re not giving focus to the Lord? That’s the question. Is it possible to include the Lord in every facet of our lives? That’s another question. What I’m pointing out is that the “deeds of darkness” are deeds that are not informed by the Lord and His oversight. His word isn’t percolating in our souls to inform our thoughts and actions. That may not result in some hideous version of sin, but it can be a shortcoming none the less.

In our circumstances as American citizens, the tendency toward investment in this world is intense. We’re inundated with all manner of distractions, and the temptation to participate in those distractions is relentless. But we’ve got to come to terms with the situation and consciously choose to do life in a manner that cultivates our relationship with the Lord! We can’t give in to the “new normal” and let it sweep us along in the currents of our culture. The “deeds of darkness” can seem so inviting, perhaps exhilarating, and certainly tempting; but they have to be assessed. Our tendency too often is to accommodate what we’re presented with by our world, while attempting to maintain our current status before our Father God. That won’t do, and I’m talking as much to myself here as I am to you. We need to examine ourselves in the light of His Word, looking to the Lord for understanding in the midst of the turbulence of our culture and make the choices that have to be made in order to progress in our faith. To that end it’s good to remember how fleeting our lives really are, and I’m not talking about three score and ten or twenty. The uninformed world focuses on doing all it can to prolong our lives, and in countries such as ours the goal is to experience as much we can, to enjoy ourselves as much as possible in the time allotted to us. However, that view is simply not biblical…I say it again: that view is not informed by our Bible. We’re not here to get the most out of life. Rather we’re here to get the most out of serving our Lord. Remember the admonishment from Paul:

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of  your time because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

The focus shouldn’t be on what we can get now, but on what we anticipate in the future, and the future is not the future anticipated through human ingenuity (AI?), it’s the future anticipated by Paul, the future of “an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” (Ephesians 5:5) That was what James was insisting when he wrote to the Christians in the diaspora saying that “friendship with the world is hostility toward God” and that our existence on earth is “just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” (James 4:4, 14)

What the apostles are telling us is that we need to be careful in our engagement in this life. The world is evil inside and out, but that evil isn’t always apparent. Its substance is hidden, appearing to be what is good, and promoting what seems to be acceptable. It entices us with apparent power but its promises are short-lived, because it’s informed by a deceptive spirit whose goals are death and destruction. We may make use of what the world offers, but we better be careful doing it, staying vigilant in our own self-assessment, guarding against our tendency to do things through our own volition, uninformed by our God.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children: and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no silly talk, or course jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:1-10)

Go with God! Seek the Lord! Halleluiah!