Understanding Jesus’ Saying: ‘If Therefore the Light That Is in You Is Darkness, How Great Is That Darkness!’
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uttered a profound statement that has puzzled and intrigued scholars and believers alike: ‘If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!’ (Matthew 6:23). This enigmatic saying raises important questions about the nature of truth, deception, and spiritual discernment.
The Light Within
The ‘light’ referred to in this verse is a metaphor for our inner consciousness, the source of our understanding and moral compass. Jesus believed that every human being possesses an innate light, a spark of divine illumination that guides us toward truth and righteousness. This light enables us to discern between right and wrong, good and evil.
Spiritual Darkness
However, Jesus also recognised that this inner light can become corrupted by negativity. When we allow darkness to enter our hearts and minds, the light within us becomes obscured or extinguished. We lose our ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood, and our moral judgement becomes clouded.
The Greatness of Darkness
Jesus’ warning about the ‘greatness of darkness’ highlights the profound consequences of spiritual blindness. When our inner light is extinguished, we become vulnerable to all manner of deception and negativity. We lose our sense of purpose and direction. The darkness that fills us becomes a breeding ground for wrongdoing, misery, and despair.
Discernment and Transformation
Jesus’ saying challenges us to examine the state of our inner light. Are we allowing it to shine brightly or are we permitting darkness to creep in? It calls us to be vigilant in guarding our thoughts and actions, and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us discern between truth and error.
Through prayer, meditation and by seeking spiritual guidance from reliable sources, we can cultivate the light within us and overcome the darkness that threatens to extinguish it. When our inner light shines brightly, we become beacons of hope in a world filled with darkness. We are able to guide others toward truth and an ever closer sense of union with the Divine.
Jesus’ saying, ‘If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!’ is a sobering reminder of the dangers of spiritual blindness. It challenges us to be vigilant in guarding our inner light and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us discern between truth and error. By cultivating the light within us, we can overcome the darkness and become beacons of hope in a world that desperately needs it.
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