Scripture Reading: John 12:31-36

In the Night

Intro.

1. Day and night (light and darkness) are used as in the Scriptures as metaphors for good and evil, truth and error, moral and immoral conduct, 1 Thess. 5:5; Eph. 5:8-10.

2. The night is alluring and seductive, offering a cloak of anonymity and secrecy that the light of day does not afford, Jno. 3:19-21 (Psa. 139:11-12).

a. Those who love the darkness (sin) believe it is being too negative to expose the sins of the night.

b. Those who love light (truth) want its light to expose the dangers of the night, Psa. 119:105; Prov. 6:23-24.

3. The night is a time of temptation, often leading to sin and destroying lives, marriages, families, peace, joy and ultimately, souls.

I. THINGS IN THE NIGHT.

A. Spiritual Weariness, 1 Thess. 5:7.

1. The temptation of the night is to "relax", to "chill", to become spiritually negligent and apathetic, cf. Jno. 9:4.

2. Contrast: Psa. 119:55. Prayer, Bible study, classes, visiting, etc.

B. Often a Lack of Moral Restraint, 1 Pet. 1:15-16; 1 Thess. 4:3-5.

1. Under the influence of intoxicants (drunkenness and drinking that leads to it), 1 Thess. 5:7.

a. Carousing (dissipation, intoxication, staggering, dizziness, drunken hangover), Lk. 21:34; Eph. 5:18.

b. Alcohol and marijuana - "Recreational drugs" that produce euphoria (buzz, calm) and lessen social inhibitions (restraints).

2. Fleshly lusts, 2 Sam. 11:2-4; 1 Thess. 4:3-5.

-Col. 3:5-

-Fornication: Sexual immorality, 1 Cor. 6:18.

-Uncleanness: "State of moral corruption," defiles body, Rom. 1:24.

-Passion: Lustful, disgraceful, vile desires, Rom. 1:26; often sexual in nature, 1 Ths. 4:5.

-Evil desire: Yearning, craving for base things; Socially and morally reprehensible, Mk. 7:21.

a. Lascivious behavior (modern dancing, sexual arousal), 1 Pet. 4:3; Gal. 5:19.

b. Pornography, Psa. 119:37; Job 31:1-4. “Pornography is basically propaganda for fornication" (Robert Bork, Slouching Towards Gomorrah, 138).

-About 11% of all internet visits is to pornography sites.

-Objectifies women, distorts reality, harms everyone.

c. Fornication and adultery, Prov. 7:6-9 (4-5, 13-20, 27).

C. Attempts to Deny and Cover Up Sin, Psa. 32:3-4.

1. Night is often the hiding place of evil; When we try to convince ourselves everything is (or will be) all right...tomorrow.

2. Shame over sin, cf. Col. 3:3. Are you "hidden with Christ" or hiding in the darkness?

3. Night should be the time we examine our lives and hearts, meditate on His word, petition our God and praise Him, Psa. 1:2; 16:7; 17:3; 63:6.

II. WAKE UP!

A. Out of Immoral Conduct, Eph. 5:12-16.

B. From Spiritual Laziness, Rom. 13:11.

-Leads to cleaning up moral defilement and growing up in Christ, Rom. 13:12-14.

C. And Reestablish the Priority of Righteousness, 1 Cor. 15:33-34.

Conclusion

1. The light of day (truth) exposes every sin we try to hide, Eph. 5:13; Job 34:21-22.

2. The day of judgment will "bring to light the hidden things of darkness," 1 Cor. 4:5.

3. Remove the darkness and walk in the light, Jno. 12:36 (8:12).

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.

10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” (John 11:9-10)

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: March 4, 2016