As darkness gets darker in the world, I’m tempted to make my voice heard and fight for my rights. When pushed, my tendency is to push back.

But I’m reminded that Jesus, who was without sin, didn’t push back when He was pushed. He went to the cross as a lamb to slaughter.

However, I don’t live in Jesus’ day. Maybe God will call me to be vocal, to fight what I see as evil. But for now, He’s called me to be sure my heart is clear, that I’m right with Him, so that when I, personally, am confronted with darkness, I will respond with life and light.

The obvious deviations from God’s design that are increasingly accepted do not tempt me. They are not likely to become a snare for me, but that doesn’t mean I’m lily white.

I’m prone to less obvious sin. Things such as fear, pride, judgment, and self-sufficiency sneak in unnoticed.

If I want to drive back darkness and build the kingdom of God, my first order of business is to get myself right with God. I need to be one with Him so my ears and heart will be open to hear His directions and carry His work with His power.

God has given me steps to take to maintain a right relationship with Him. Some of them are:

BELIEVE: How can we follow if we do not believe? Don’t fall into the trap of framing your beliefs around your experiences or desires.

• John 6:29:  “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent”
• 2 Thessalonians 2:13:  the Word of God “performs its work in you who believe.”
• (Also Rom. 10:17 and 1 Peter 3:12)

STAND: Stand firm in Christ and on His Word, don’t be trapped by the lures of the world.

• Ephesians 6:11, 13: Put on the armor of God so you can stand firm” and resist in the evil day.
• 1 Corinthians 16:13: “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith act like men, be strong.”
• (Also Rom 5:1-2, Eph 6:14, 16):

LOVE: If we don’t have love, we like clanging gongs (1 Cor. 13:1) and all our efforts toward change are in vain.

• Matthew 22:37-39  Love the Lord your God with all . . . and your neighbor as yourself
• Romans 2:4: The kindness of God leads to repentance.
• (Also Luke 6:27-29)

SOW PEACE: Respond to attacks in a spirit of peace, showing love and respect. Leave an opening to share Christ’s love.

• Ephesians 6:15: Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;    Eph. 6:15
• 1 Peter 3:10:  Refrain your tongue from evil. Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace.
• Matthew 7:12:  Treat people the way you want to be treated.
• (Also Gal. 5:22-25, Matt. 5:9)

PRAY WITH THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE: Pray for God’s kingdom to be established, in the church and in the world.

• Philippians 4:6: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.”
• James 4:10: “Humble yourself in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
• (Also Jam 4:6-8, 1 Pet. 5:6, Matt. 10:16, Jude 24-25)

These things don’t call for great heroics or direct confrontations. They are basic training. Nevertheless, we are dependent on God working in us to faithful even in the basics. If He doesn’t build the house, we labor in vain as we build it—beginning with the foundation.

May the Lord help us to be a light in the midst of the darkness, free from the snares of the enemy that would try to hold us back. And may we be prepared to hear His voice and be obedient to what He asks of us.

Help us, Lord, to “watch out that the light in [us] may not be darkness” (Luke 11:35 ).