5 Ways to Refill Your Spiritual Lamps in a World of Darkness

In the wake of perversion being glorified, murder being celebrated, false religious practices being indoctrinated in our schools and hatred for Christians running rampant, it’s time to get serious.

As the days are getting darker, and the light of Jesus is needed more than ever, many churches, pastors, and believers are wandering around with empty lamps. And you know what an empty lamp will do for a lost and dying worldworld? Nothing. Without oil, there is no light. Without light, there is no revelation of sin and the need for a Savior. Without the revelation, there is no direction of repentance. Without repentance, there is no hope.

So why are we as Christians allowing worldly influences and power to dim, empty and dictate our lives?

If we are tired of the powers of darkness from news agencies and social media outlets who censor, mock and persecute Christian values, yet allow people with demonic platforms to freely share their messages, then let’s stop using their outlets until there is a change of heart.

If we are outraged on behalf of our fellow Christians who are persecuted for running their businesses the way they want to, then maybe we need to stop giving our time, money and integrity to businesses who openly support values that contradict God’s Word.

If we as Christians are tired of seeing evil presented as good, then we need to stop enabling that behavior by watching shows and movies, playing games and engaging in activities that that promote sexual sin, taking the name of our Savior in vain, and any other murderous, adulterous and demonic influences.

If we as Christians want revival to reach the nations for the Kingdom of God, then we have to stop mimicking the kingdom of darkness.

What are we so afraid of? Persecution? It’s already here. Just because many churches in this nation are so concerned about their fans, popularity and revenues and are blinded by the same darkness as non-believers, it does not dismiss the horrific and heartbreaking persecution around the world. There are people around the world dying daily for their commitment to Jesus who shine brighter than many self-proclaimed Christians who are so self-absorbed they do not even see what is happening. As the days get darker, it is vital that our lights shine brighter. We have to stop misrepresenting Christianity by intermingling with other religious practices, promoting a false sense of security for sin through sloppy grace, and enabling the powers of darkness to dictate our everyday lives.

What happened to preaching the pure and simple Gospel? What happened to speaking the truth about eternity, and that only followers of Christ will be in Heaven, and everyone else will be in Hell? What happened to repentance for sin and acknowledging the holiness of God? Those are the things that will fill our lamps back up with the precious time that is left.

How did we as the church let it get this far? It is not the world’s fault; it’s ours. They are in the darkness; we know better. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths”. 2 Timothy 4: 3-4

We need to stop waiting for someone else to take action to turn our nation back to Christ. We need to unify as followers of Christ and act now. Here are 5 passages from 2 Timothy to help fill are lamps with the oil needed to light our paths to reach the lost for God’s Kingdom.

1. We need to drop to our knees and repent for being silent to, tolerant of and compromising with darkness. “God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness... Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” 2 Timothy 2:19, 22

2. We need to take the fluff out of our sermons and preach the pure and life-changing Gospel of the Lord Jesus. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene”. 2 Timothy 2:15-17

3. We need to value and make prayer and Bible study the center of our lives, our families and our ministries so we can clearly hear and obey the Holy Spirit. “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us”. 2 Timothy 1:13

4. We need to be bold to call evil out and have no part of it. “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people”. 2 Timothy 3: 1-5

5. We need to boldly and unashamedly preach, live and share the truth of God’s Word. is “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

We as believers and followers of Christ are called to be the light, and it’s time to stop blending in. It’s time to shine for Jesus, the one who have us the chance to live and serve Him before His return. He needs our lamps full because time is running out.