When I sleep, I always dream, even if I am just nodding off. I can't help myself from doing it, and I have tried to understand why my brain won't shut off at night! I often dream that I am either in the twilight or walking in darkness. Dream interpretation books and websites are popular. One idea put forth by the "interpreters" is that dreaming about walking in the dark means that you are confused, that your life has stagnated, and that you are experiencing failure. But the Scriptures have a completely different take on what walking in the darkness means.

1 John 1:5-10 – This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice 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 Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (NKJV)

The apostle John here contrasts the light of God — which is His perfection, infinite nature, and unchanging Spirit — with our darkness, which is revealed in a disobedient way of life, harbouring a known sin, or resisting the Holy Spirit's conviction. Surely, this is a different definition of walking in darkness from that of a dream interpretation manual! Our darkness is evident because of the light of His holy nature.

If our lives are compared to taking a walk in light or in darkness, we have a choice. To walk with God is to be honest with Him, where no area of our lives is out of bounds to Him. If we harbour feelings of bitterness and jealousy, we need to receive and accept forgiveness for them. Excusing that darkness can spread to the rest of our life. Our pride is always ready to trip us up, telling us that it's okay to deny the reality of sin or to fail to recognize its danger.

Today, let us come to Him in prayer, putting aside the lies and the pride, the blaming and the hiding, because when we choose to confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive. Have we repented in the past, but stopped living in true fellowship with God? We can't save ourselves from sin, and we need a Saviour. Let's come to Him right now!

Prayer: Dear Lord and Saviour, we confess that we need You, and that walking in darkness is not the same as having a bad day. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, the penalty for our wandering in darkness is paid. Thank You that You are just and faithful to forgive. Amen.

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About the author:

Shirley Moulton <shirley_moulton@yahoo.ca>
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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