Bible Passage: “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (Ephesians 5:8-11 ESV)
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:13-14; James 4:6-10; James 5:16
The effects of living with secrets are widespread, and over time, they impact our sense of identity.
Ephesians 5 says that we were “darkness,” but now we are “light.” Our identity was settled by Jesus on the Cross. Just like being a beloved child leads us to walk in love, being a child of the light leads us to live in the light…and expose darkness.
Confession is scary because we want people to think well of us and worry that if we confess darkness, our image will be destroyed or that people will treat us differently. In reality, it’s only through confessing darkness that we get to live out our true identity as children of the light.
Exposing darkness, though, is not just about confessing sin. It’s about exposing the enemy’s schemes against us, sharing when we feel inclined to hide, verbalizing the lies we’ve believed that have opened the door to immorality, and revealing secrets from the past.
Through exposing all darkness, we are then able to live out what God says is true about us rather than hiding behind what isn’t. Hiding in darkness only keeps us connected to a false identity, and a false identity will always be drawn to sin.
When we bring something into the light, instead of being vague like, “I’ve struggled with lust,” be specific with what it was, the frequency, what lies you believed to justify sin, and how you deceived people. Full exposure eliminates darkness and gives our God-given identity a chance to come out of hiding.
Later in Ephesians 5, it says that everything that was in the dark, when brought into the light, is illuminated by God and therefore becomes a light itself. God’s grace shines on us and our story when we expose darkness. Your story of shame disappears and becomes God’s story of grace, to be shared and to help set others free.
Just like sex and our desires are meant to point us to God, exposing darkness, learning our identity, and experiencing contentment in Christ have the same purpose. All things were created by God to reveal His glory in our lives.
Prayer: Father, help me to expose all the darkness that I have engaged in, and that has been hindering me from living the way You’ve called me to. Thank You for calling me a child of the light. You are amazing. I don’t deserve that label, but I humbly receive it as true. Please use my story to bring others out of darkness and send me to people to give and receive support in the way You know is best. Amen.
Reflection: Do you have secrets that you’ve never told anyone? What lies have been exposed this week that you’ve believed about sex and sexuality? Consider who you can tell these things to, take courage, and then take action to bring them into the light!
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