Darkness as a symbol of sin

John 3:19–20 NRSV

And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.

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Paul encourages believers to live in the light:

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1 John 1:5–6 NRSV

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true;

Darkness as a symbol of the effects of sin

Darkness symbolising ignorance of the truth

2 Corinthians 4:4 NRSV

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

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Darkness symbolising the inability to find the right way

John 12:35 NRSV

Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going.

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Darkness symbolises times of trial

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Darkness symbolises death and the grave

Job 10:20–22 NRSV

Are not the days of my life few? Let me alone, that I may find a little comfort before I go, never to return, to the land of gloom and deep darkness, the land of gloom and chaos, where light is like darkness.”

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God’s provision for the darkness of sin

God himself is a remedy for darkness

2 Samuel 22:29 NRSV

Indeed, you are my lamp, O Lord, the Lord lightens my darkness.

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God will deliver from darkness

Isaiah 9:2 NRSV

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.

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God’s Son saves believers from darkness

John 8:12 NRSV

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

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God’s people rescue others from darkness

Isaiah 42:6–7 NRSV

I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

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