I John 1:6,7 “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
Although darkness is often used to refer to those who do not know the saving truth of Christ in salvation, there are Christians who continue to walk to some degree in darkness. It means that they walk in ignorance of at least some of God’s Word and are not listening to the Spirit of God in their heart, or they deliberately do not care to please God by doing things their own way.
John, in the above verse, states that a professing believer that claims to be walking in fellowship with God but is continuing to commit some sin – is not being guided by the Spirit of God – no matter what they say. In fact, they are lying and they know it. It is why people that serve in the church should have clean lives and a good testimony.
The apostle Paul knew that there were some in the church at Rome that were walking after the course of this world and not following God’s plan for believers. He urged them to get rid of the sin and start walking in God’s light and truth. In Romans 13:12, he said: “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”
In plain language, Paul told them that there is no room for known sin in God’s camp. Deal with it and put it away so that you can start walking in God’s light.
People that walk in darkness do not understand God’s truth or the benefit of spiritual things. David wrote of unbelievers in this condition in Psalm 82:5: “They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.”
Jesus spoke of the light that the believer can have if they are willing to seek God and His truth – His will for them. He said, in John 8:12: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
For believers who seem to be in darkness and do not understand what God is doing in their life but want His will, He promises, in Psalm 112:4: “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.”
Christian, are you walking in the darkness of uncertainty? God promises to give you light and hope and strength. Talk to God about the darkness, accept His working in your life and know that it is for good. The light will come – trust Him for it, but there may be growth that He wants to see. He is most gracious.
Do you really have fellowship with God? How is your prayer life?