What Does Spiritual Light Look Like?

Our physical eyes cannot see spiritual light. But our spirits can discern it. (See 1 Corinthians 2:10-14)

The honest in heart will seek it. (See John 3:21.)

As spiritual beings, we need spiritual light to grow and feel true happiness.

Jesus of Nazareth made the monumental declaration, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12, NIV).

Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “I teach you about the light” or “I help you find the light,” although He does those things. No, He said “I am the light. . . ”

Jesus was and is the embodiment of pure spiritual light. His words and actions are manifestations of spiritual light, such as compassionate healings, kind sayings, encouragement, mercy, loving deeds, and so forth. All that is good is light. God wants us to be receptacles of spiritual light, shining that light for others to see through our words, our actions, and even our joyous eyes and smiles.

The remainder of this article explains the danger of spiritual darkness, how to obtain spiritual light, becoming a point of light for others, and evidence that spiritual light has entered into your life in concrete, noticeable ways.

[Note: This post takes the position that Jesus of Nazareth was God the Son, Creator of heavens and earth, living with us in human form. Also, for an additional scholarly perspective on the physical properties of light and the strikingly close correlation with scriptural descriptions of God and spiritual light, see the eye-opening writings of former Harvard professor and ABC News Science Correspondent Michael Guillen, PhD in Believing is Seeing: A Physicist Explains How Science Shattered His Atheism and Revealed the Necessity of Faith.)

Spiritual Darkness

The meaning of spiritual light can become clearer when we consider the nature of its opposite, spiritual darkness. Jesus said if we follow Him, we “will not walk in darkness.”

When we walk in a dark place, we experience unpleasant and even deadly things like these:

We bump into things and hurt ourselves. We might even seriously injure or kill ourselves if we’re in deadly terrain.

We don’t enjoy the beauty of our surroundings because we can’t see.

We feel anxious, fearful, and disoriented.

We can’t see people well; we may hurt others unintentionally, including those we love.

We end up in dead ends, sometimes over and over again.

Spiritually speaking, the Bible teaches this about darkness:

“The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:19, ESV)

“They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness” (Psalm 82:5, ESV).

“Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness” (1 John 2:9, ESV).

“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” (John 3:19-20, ESV).

“. . . those who rebel against the light. . . do not want to know its ways nor abide in its paths.” (Job 24:13, NASB)

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the . . . powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil . . .” (Ephesians 6:12, ESV).

In simple language, living in darkness means we lack understanding and we do eternally foolish and harmful things that lead to tragic consequences.

Failing to love other people is also darkness because it is 100% opposite the character of God, who is full of light.

Those who love the light are engaged in a “wrestle” against darkness (because there truly are unseen, evil forces fighting against us).

Obtaining Spiritual Light

Light originates from the presence and person of God. It flows into our hearts and minds through the Holy Spirit, the member of the Godhead who enlightens, teaches, reminds, warns, and leads us to love and do good. (See John 14:26, John 16:13.)

We receive spiritual light by:

• Turning on the “light switch” by believing in Jesus with all our heart
• Sincere effort to talk with the Father through prayer as Jesus taught us
• Studying His words in the scriptures, allowing the Holy Spirit to “enlighten” us
• Humbly desiring God and His ways more than anything else
• Taking action to obey the light we receive. (We learn, then obey, then learn more, and obey that, progressing from light to light, from grace to grace.)

When we receive spiritual light, we experience it as understanding godly things, wisdom to act well, and desires to do good. Consider these beautiful scriptures:

“In [Christ] was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:4-5, KJV)

“God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5, NIV)

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105, NIV) Recall that “my path” always refers to things that we do in life.

Being a Light for Others

Have you ever noticed that certain people have a “light” about them? There’s a positive, energizing presence about them that makes people feel happy. They have a gift for teaching truth and imparting wisdom.

We can be “points of light” for others by being kind, merciful, loving, respectful, and allowing ourselves to be confidently different. In fact, Jesus taught us that we should do that.

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, NIV)

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.” (Philippians 2:14-16, ESV)

I love this quote from BillyGraham.org:

Our goal should never be to bring recognition to ourselves, but to bring glory to God. There’s a fine line between being a light and putting on a show to get attention. It’s a matter of the heart.

19 Signs that Light is Entering Your Life

In the book, Jesus Christ, His Life and Mine, I presented these simple bits of evidence that spiritual light is entering our lives. Even a child can understand and recognize these.

When we begin walking into the bright light of God by believing and following Jesus, we think and feel things like these:

 

I care more about doing what’s right than I used to.

I read and like the scriptures more lately. There are a lot of dots being connected between my heart and mind.

I have a clearer sense of my true identity as opposed to who the world has told me I am or what I should be.

My view of what really matters has changed; my worldview has changed. I see the earth as small and eternity as large and very important.

I see how small I am compared to the greatness of God; I want to kneel before Him and praise Him for all that He has done; my gratitude knows no bounds.

I honestly trust that God is smarter than I am. I’m a fool if I try to resist Him.

I suddenly understand how to deal with a problem that’s been tormenting me—because I now see how to do it Jesus’s way.

I’m not ashamed to tell others I believe in Jesus as the Son of God, Creator, and my Savior.

I have hope that God can save me from my addictions; I see that the stories and miracles of Jesus are symbols of His saving power in my own life.

I willingly confess my sins to God in prayer and trust He loves me and never loves me any less.

I want to teach others about Jesus and His Gospel.

I want to help people more now. I want to be kinder and more willing to sacrifice.

I want to stop getting so angry and feeding into others’ negativity. I’m learning to look to Jesus in my heart to help me be positive like He was.

The stories of Jesus have inspired me to tackle hard things in my life.

I see God as my heavenly parent. I know He wants me to obey Him because He’s looking out for my well-being. I truly get that.

I feel God’s love more than I used to.

I want to give glory to God and do what matters to Him.

I want to do the right things for the right reasons.

I want to be like Jesus (and not just because I’m supposed to).

Can you relate to these examples of spiritual light in your own life?

All of these feelings and insights are the effects of spiritual light awaking and enlivening our spirit with the light that originates from Jesus Christ.

My Testimony

When Jesus said “I am the light of the world,” it was a bold but awesomely true statement.

Believing in Him turns on the light in our souls. Sing it aloud, say it forever, believe it without a doubt, because it is true!

All of the enlightened, positive changes listed above come to us when we believe in, trust, and follow the true Light of the world.  Learn more about how to believe through this brief video.

Positive Posts and Resources for You

How to Truly Believe (16-page PDF with fresh metaphors to make it easier)

9 Relationships with Christ (to Deepen Your Joy)

Why Sex Matters to God (5 Reasons) 

How to Get Answers & Guidance from Prayer (18-page PDF)

A Surprisingly Liberating Truth: Slave of Christ

Why Surrendering to God Makes So Much Sense (and How to Do It)

Books by R. Christian and Helen M. Bohlen

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Estimated Reading Time:
3 – 4 mins