light vs darkness

Is it okay for a Christian to be “dark,” that is, “emo?”

Before we answer that question, let’s define the term. “Emo” refers to a subculture that is sweeping the country among American teenagers, a movement that is often referred to as being “dark.” Associated with punk music, its adherents are typically dressed in black, have pale faces, long black hair with bangs, rarely show emotions (especially laughter), and are often quite thin.

Emo boys and girls are also unique in that they are often viewed as anti-social and rebellious. Many are socially withdrawn, depressed, and view suicide and death as glamorous.1

So is it okay for a Christian to be “dark,” that is, “emo?” Let’s see what the Bible has to say about the topic. I’ve provided summaries of numerous passages, but encourage you to read the Scriptures themselves as well.

Jesus is light, brings light to this earth and rescues those of us who are in darkness.

John 12:46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

Col 1:13-14 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

1 Thess 5:5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Those who are in darkness have their eyes closed to God, are evil, not forgiven of their sins, don’t know where they’re going, and are under the power of Satan.

Acts 26:17-18 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' 

John 3:19-20 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

John 12:35-36 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

1 John 2:9-11 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

Those who accept the light (Jesus) should not walk in darkness.

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 

John 12:46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Rom 13:12-14 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Eph 5:8-14 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

1 John 2:9-11 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

Light and darkness have nothing in common—those in the light are called to have nothing to do with those in darkness.

1 Thess 5:5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

2 Cor 6:14-17 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?  What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.”

1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Conclusion
So is it okay for a Christian to be “dark,” that is, “emo?” Based on these passages, I conclude that spiritually-speaking light and darkness have nothing in common and are actually polar opposites. One is a very good thing, while the other is a very bad thing.

While some may disagree, I don't think it's a good idea for a Christian to identify with a group of people who often behave as if they are in spiritual darkness. At the very least a "dark" Christian is a poor witness for Jesus. At the very worst, being emo may be an indication of spiritual apostasy.

1  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emo, http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=emo, http://www.emo-site.com/

first impressions

How embarrassing. The first time our neighbors ever saw us was when we were doubled over in laughter at the sight of Samantha running around the backyard without the top of her bathing suit on.

Samantha, sans bathing suit.

Most embarrassing of all, though, was the fact that Samantha was our yellow Labrador retriever.

You see, the family (well, maybe it was dad’s idea) thought it would be funny to put the dog in a two-piecer. After all, we had just gotten her a wading pool she could cool off in during the hot summer months.

Chris and family, meet the new neighbors. Oops.

Then there was the time when Chris carried the toilet—bowl, tank, the whole thing—into the backyard. You see, our son had clogged the toilet with a tube of toothpaste and, well, I didn’t know any better.

I eventually got the tube out with the help of a garden hose, but forgot that the neighbors on the other side of us were having an open house. I’ll never forget the looks from a couple as they stood on the balcony and stared in disbelief at the white trash (that would be me) next door.

Chris, meet the almost-new neighbors. Oops.

I think most of us would agree that first impressions are pretty important. Most of us think about that when interviewing for a new job, but how many of us give it much thought the rest of the time?

Immediately after those snafus I was painfully aware of the importance of first impressions. Unfortunately, my M.O. is to slowly forget what I’ve learned and fall back into old habits. And, if I’m honest, I get lazy sometimes. Maybe you have the same problem.

Because of that, if I’m not careful I’m in danger of making a bad first impression. That’s why I’m so grateful for a recent Scriptural reminder.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”1

As followers of Jesus, that’s a description of us: “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” And what are we supposed to be doing? Declaring “the praises of him who called” us “out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

I don’t know about you, but that verse intimidates me. A lot. I/we have a big responsibility, a huge responsibility.

Because we represent God most high, and because it’s so important to tell others about Him, we can’t afford to make a bad first impression. There’s too much at stake.

As priests of God most high we need to be on our best behavior wherever we go and whatever we do. Practically-speaking, that means if anyone else can hear us or see us they need to witness a real-life member of the Lord’s “holy priesthood.” Anything less is shirking our divine responsibility.

I don’t know about you, but I need to do better in this area. In fact, I have a few thoughts on what needs to change, but will keep it to myself. And no, it doesn’t have anything to do with dogs in bathing suits or toilets.

How about you? Are there places or situations where you’re making bad first impressions? Where you aren’t representing the God of the universe well?

As priests of God most high, “Oops” doesn’t cut it.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

1  1 Peter 2:9