Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, darkness often symbolizes evil, ignorance, and the absence of God's presence. The wicked, those who live in opposition to God's commandments and righteousness, are frequently described as being enveloped in darkness. This metaphorical use of darkness underscores the moral and spiritual blindness that characterizes their lives.Old Testament References The Old Testament frequently associates darkness with the wicked. In the book of Job, darkness is depicted as the domain of those who rebel against God. Job 24:13-17 describes the wicked as those who "rebel against the light" and "do not know its ways or stay in its paths." They operate under the cover of darkness, committing acts of violence and immorality, hidden from the eyes of men but not from God. The Psalms also reflect this theme. Psalm 82:5 states, "They do not know or understand; they wander in the darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken." Here, the wicked are portrayed as lacking understanding and living in a state of moral confusion, which leads to societal instability. New Testament Insights The New Testament continues this theme, emphasizing the spiritual darkness that engulfs those who reject the truth of the Gospel. In John 3:19-20 , Jesus explains, "And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this concept in his epistles. In Ephesians 4:17-18 , he warns believers not to live as the Gentiles do, "in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts." This passage highlights the intellectual and spiritual darkness that results from a hardened heart and rejection of God's truth. Symbolism and Implications Darkness, as a symbol of wickedness, serves as a stark contrast to the light of God's holiness and truth. The Bible consistently calls believers to walk in the light, as seen in 1 John 1:5-7 : "This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth." The imagery of darkness and light serves as a powerful reminder of the moral and spiritual choices that individuals face. The wicked, by choosing darkness, separate themselves from the life and light that God offers. This separation is not only a present reality but also has eternal consequences, as described in Matthew 25:30 , where the unfaithful servant is cast into "the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." In summary, the biblical portrayal of darkness as the realm of the wicked underscores the profound spiritual blindness and moral corruption that result from rejecting God's truth. This theme serves as a call to repentance and a reminder of the transformative power of walking in the light of Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook Matthew 6:23But if your eye be evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness! Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Desire of the Soul in Spiritual Darkness If, Again, it is Certain that we are the Most Wicked of Men... Out of the Deep of Doubt, Darkness, and Hell. Conclusion Evans -- the Fall and Recovery of Man The Difference Betwixt God's Lovers and the World's: and their ... The Powers of Darkness "This Then is the Message which we have Heard of Him, and Declare ... "Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?" Wherefore it is Better to Take Entent to the Love of God than to ... Resources What is the witching hour, and is it in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God is light? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that Satan masquerades as an angel of light? | GotQuestions.org Darkness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Darkness of Spiritual Blindness Darkness the Following Scriptures Darkness: Abstruse and Deep Subjects Darkness: Called the Swaddling Band of the Sea Darkness: Cannot Hide Us from God Darkness: Caused by the Setting of the Sun Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: Great Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: Gross Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: Outer or Extreme Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: That May be Felt Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: Thick Darkness: Effects of Causes Us to Go Astray Darkness: Effects of Causes Us to Stumble Darkness: Effects of Keeps Us from Seeing Objects Darkness: Exhibits God's Power and Greatness Darkness: Greatness and Unsearchableness of God Darkness: Inexplicable Nature of Darkness: Miraculous: At Mount Sinai Darkness: Miraculous: At the Crucifixion Darkness: Miraculous: At the Death of Christ Darkness: Miraculous: Before the Destruction of Jerusalem Darkness: Miraculous: On Mount Sinai Darkness: Miraculous: Over the Land of Egypt Darkness: Originally Covered the Earth Darkness: Over the Face of the Earth Darkness: Separated from the Light Darkness: The Punishment of Devils and Wicked Men Darkness: The Wicked are Full of Darkness: The Wicked: Perpetuate Their Designs In Darkness: The Wicked: The Children of Related Terms |
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