“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world,
and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
(John 3:19)
What a commentary on the depths of human depravity when men love darkness rather than light. This passage explains why—it is because their deeds are evil. Lovers of darkness take their pleasure and delight in unbelief and sin (John 3:19). John Trapp rightly said, “Unbelief is a bloody sin (Heb. 10:26), a heavy sin (John 3:19), a most ungrateful, inexcusable sin, such as shuts a man up as prisoner in the dark dungeon of the Law to unavoidable destruction (Gal. 3:23).”[1]
At first, the sin of unbelief may seem less destructive than murder. But on further reflection, unbelief lies at the root of every other sin. When Satan tempted Eve in the Garden, he planted unbelief in her mind: “Has God [really] told you that you shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Are you quite sure that’s what he said?” That single seed of doubt was enough to set mankind against its Maker and keep men of all ages and nations lost in darkness and depravity.
Darkness is the absence of light, often the condition of prison cells for the worst offenders awaiting execution. In society, darkness carries the image of a death sentence. In Scripture, darkness represents the absence of spiritual light and is synonymous with the unpardonable sin of unbelief. All unbelievers are imprisoned in this spiritual darkness and carry a sentence of death. John 3:18 says, “he who does not believe is condemned already.”
Darkness also defines the eternal estate of the damned in hell (Matt. 22:13), called the “second death” (2 Peter 2:4). Those who die in unbelief, never responding to the light of Christ’s gospel, will forever be tormented in utter and everlasting darkness.
Only the pure light of God that “came into the world” and still shines through His Word and in the hearts of believers can release those bound in their prison of darkness. Christ is the Light, and whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. He is a saving light to those who believe and a condemnation to those who willfully remain in darkness and unbelief (John 3:19).
Contemplations:
- The dread of darkness. Lord, I know that darkness is associated with difficult, sad, and frightening states. Some of the most severe punishments for the worst criminals include solitary confinement in utter dark, miserable, and horrible conditions. Thank you for the light of life You bring to this dark world.
- Perversion and lies. Those who pervert the truth – calling good evil and evil good… falsehood truth and truth error – clearly demonstrate the darkness of their heart and the master they serve.
- Light in the darkness. If one remains in the state of sin and wretchedness, they remain in darkness and unbelief. But You desire to give light to them that sit in darkness, giving Your life to do so.
Prayer (Supplication)
Lord God Almighty, You who spoke light into the darkness at creation, I come to You now, pleading for the light of Your truth to pierce the blindness of my heart wherever shadows remain. I confess that without Your Spirit’s work, I am powerless to dispel the darkness of unbelief. My thoughts, desires, and affections often fall short of Your glory, and I see in myself traces of the same corruption that holds the world in bondage. I do not want to be at ease while sin hides in the corners of my life. Root it out, Lord. Strip away every excuse. Tear down every stronghold.
You have declared in Your Word that light has come into the world, yet men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. Keep me from loving anything that belongs to that darkness. Guard my mind from lies that would question Your truth. Protect my heart from the subtle whispers of the enemy who would plant seeds of doubt against Your promises. Train my soul to answer every temptation with the unshakable Word You have spoken.
Have mercy on those still bound in unbelief, Lord. I bring before You family, friends, and neighbors who are dead in sin, living in the shadows, and unaware of their danger. Shine the light of the gospel upon them. Cause them to see the emptiness of their ways. Pull them out of the dungeon before the sentence is carried out.
Break the chains that hold the nations in darkness. Raise up preachers who will not compromise the truth, churches that will not dim the light to make the darkness more comfortable, and believers who will walk in holiness even when surrounded by evil.
Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world. Without You, there is only confusion, despair, and death. But in You, there is clarity, hope, and life everlasting. Let me walk in that light every day until faith becomes sight. Keep my steps from stumbling. Make my testimony clean so that the world may see the difference Your light makes. When I am tempted to hide or retreat, remind me that light was meant to shine. Let me shine, not for my own sake, but so that others may glorify my Father in heaven.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for John 3:19:
Matt. 6:23; John 1:9; Isa. 60:2; Eph. 5:8.
[1] John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon the Four Evangelists, and the Acts of the Apostles, (London: A.M., 1647), 38.
