Shining for Jesus: 12 Practical Ways to Shine your Light in a Dark World
What’s Inside: Learn how to be a beacon of hope in a world filled with darkness. Discover 12 practical ways you can live a Life that is shining for Jesus.
He was chased by the King of Israel who wanted to kill him. He had the opportunity for retribution but took the higher road and walked away. He would ultimately would become King of Israel. Who was this man who would write the book of Psalms and ultimately become King of Israel? David.
He was a devout follower of the Lord who lived on the fringes of what was acceptable to be a follower of God. He was ultimately beheaded and his head was sent to Queen Salome on a silver platter by her request. Who was he? John the Baptist.
He rallied the children of Israel together and stood before Pharaoh so they could worship the Lord as prescribed by the Lord. He led the children of Israel through Red Sea resulting in an amazing victory for God’s children. His name was Moses.
All of the aforementioned men have one thing in common. They let their light shine in the midst of incredible adversity to the dark world around them.
God has prepared you- at this very moment- to shine for Jesus to those around you that need to see God’s radiant light. Are you ready, like David, John the Baptist and Moses, to make a stand even when it’s overwhelmingly hard?
Is your prayer, “God, let me be a shining light for you”?
Shining for Jesus is integral as a believer. Are you ready to let god’s light shine through you? By God’s grace, we can shine like a light and share the testimony of our God who has so wonderfully saved us.
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What Does it Mean to Let Your Light Shine for Jesus?
When Jesus spoke, he often spoke in parables and colorful illustrations. The let your light shine meaning is a perfect example of that. Light is often symbolic of God’s hope, truth and His presence. Since light offers illumination, Jesus referred to himself as the only source of illumination and truth. Jesus is a beacon of light and hope to a dark world.
When a person says they are letting their light shine for Jesus, it means that they are following Jesus, his example of love, and are trusting in his grace.
He is the light of the world and we can shine like jesus because He lives in us.
When a person says they are shining for Jesus, it means that they are following Jesus, his example of love, and are trusting in his grace.
How Do we Receive the Light of Jesus?
Receiving the light of Jesus means that you have accepted Jesus as your Lord. When you accept Jesus, it means that you have:
- recognized you are a sinner in need of Jesus’ forgiveness
- repented of (turned from your sins)
- placed your faith in Jesus and believe that he died on the cross and was resurrected back to life (ie: rose from the dead)
- confess Jesus as your Lord
- follow Jesus by dedicating your life to Him and growing your faith, by God’s grace.
Why Is It Important to Let Your Light Shine?
Living our life for Jesus doesn’t come without responsibility. I am not referring to a works salvation. We are saved by grace alone. I am speaking of a faith+works after salvation where your heart’s desire is to please the Lord. Our faith should be coupled with our works.
As lightbearers, we are called to be a light that shines to the dark world and are a reflection of His love and grace.
When we let our light shine, we bring hope to those around us to those who need it.
Jesus is the light of the world and that light continues to shine through us. But let’s be real, bringing light to a dark world can take effort. Even smiling at someone when you don’t feel like it is action on your part.
Shining for Jesus is of the utmost importance.
You might be asking:
- How do we shine for Jesus?
- How do we let our light shine brightly so others will see?
- How can I let my light shine for Jesus so others will be drawn to Jesus??
The Benefits of Shining your Light in a Dark World
There are so many benefits of shining your light in a dark world!
- When you shine the light of Jesus to those around you, they are more likely to become a believer and experience His love. What a blessing!
- You are crucifying your flesh and letting the light of God shine
- You learn to trust God more fully and grow in your faith.
12 Practical Ways for Shining for Jesus in a Dark World
Here are 12 practical ways for shining for Jesus in a dark world
Living a Life of Integrity
Integrity is defined as: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
When we become a Christian, our lives mirror the moral principles and uprightness of the Bible. In a world full of sin and debauchery, people will see a difference in the life you live in Jesus. We live in a world full of backstabbing, sin and debauchery. People who do not know Jesus will see your heart for God, your honesty and your kindness and compassion for others. Living for God with His values isn’t easy in a world where we are swayed daily to live in wickedness, but with the help of God’s Spirit, we can overcome.
Sharing the Gospel with Others
Sharing the gospel with others means that you are sharing God’s heart and plan of salvation with those who you come into contact with, friends and family.
Believe it or not, there are many who don’t understand salvation- that was my case. I didn’t come to know Jesus until I was 20 years of age. I read the Bible as a young girl but no one shared salvation with me and discipled me, even tho I prayed as a young girl of 9 years old for Jesus to come int my heart. We are God’s hands, feet and mouthpiece. How will they know unless we speak God’s truth?
Serving Others in Need
Serving others in need from a Christian viewpoint means to put the needs of others before your own and to show compassion and love for those who are less fortunate. It is about helping those in need, regardless of their background or beliefs, and showing them that they are valued and loved. It is about being a good neighbor and showing kindness to all people. It is also about recognizing that we are all part of the same human family, created by God, and that we should treat each other with respect and dignity.
Praying for Those Around You
It’s been said that, “God does nothing but by asking in prayer.” I don’t know if that’s true or not but I am so thankful for grace. Praying for those around you is so important, and it means that you are lifting up their needs to the Father. No matter low big or small a person’s needs are, we can always ask God to intervene and supply.
Being an Example of Love and Compassion
Being an example of love and compassion means that you are living a life that reflects the fruit of the Spirit as directed in Galatians 5:22-23
Showing Gratitude and Generosity
All of our amazing blessings that we have, come from our Heavenly Father. Showing gratitude means that we know the source of our blessings and show gratitude and generosity to God.
When we are thankful for what we have, we can be generous to others both within and without the body of Christ.
Participating in Worship and Church
Worship is showing praise, reverence, and adoration to God usually in a church setting. But the beautiful thing is that there is so much more to worship. The lives that we live show reverence to God and bring glory to His name.
Having Fellowship with Other Believers
We surround ourselves with likeminded people, those who get what we are going through and can have compassion on us. Having fellowship with other believers means that we are building relationships and doing life with other Christians. In the good and bad times, it involves providing support.
Staying Connected to God Through Bible Study and Prayer
You would think that Bible study and prayer wouldn’t be a practical way to shine your light. On the contrary. When we deepen our relationship with God, our lives reflect the light of Christ to those around us.
Reaching Out to Those Who Are Lost or Hurting
Reaching out to those who are lost or hurting is providing physical, emotional and spiritual help to those in need. Ultimately, it is about showing God’s love and care for those who are struggling.
Refusing to Compromise Your Faith and Values
I’ve known some hard headed Christians who told the truth without one compassionate bone in their body. How are we ever supposed to win anyone to Christ if we are as prickly as a cactus with a personality of the same? Thank the Lord we have the word of God that says we should speak the truth in love.
Refusing to compromise one’s faith and values means to stand firm in the truth of God’s Word and not allowing oneself to be swayed by the world’s standards. It also means to live according to biblical principles and not giving in to temptation or peer pressure.
Are you willing to stand for what is right even if it means facing opposition or criticism? It’s an especially difficult for those who are people pleasers.
May God give us wisdom to find balance in standing firm in the faith while always having compassion and speaking the truth in love.
Be Compassionate
What better way to shine the light of Jesus than being compassionate to others. Being compassionate means you show kindness and understanding to those who are in need, but mostly being empathetic, or showing empathy. The command to be compassionate was fully embraced by our Lord Jesus when He told us to love our neighbors as ourselves in Matthew 22:39
Bible Characters who Let their Light Shine
- Joseph – He was sold into slavery and the entirety of Egypt looked on as he was brought into Pharaoh’s court and was the #2 an in Egypt. He was a man of integrity and honor, remained faithful to God and shone his light through difficult circumstances.
- Esther – After going to a beauty contest, she became the queen of Persia. Hiding her Jewish identity helped her save her people from destruction. When she went before the King, she showed great courage by putting her own life at risk.
- Paul – He persecuted the Jews until he came into contact with the God of those he persecuted. He became a missionary to the Gentiles, spreading the good news of Jesus Christ despite facing opposition and persecution. Thank the Lord for His God inspired writings and his never wavering commitment to sharing the gospel.
- Stephen – There is very little know of Steven, but what we do know is enough to make us fall off the edge of our seat. In the beginning of the Christian church, he was stoned to death as the Apostle Paul looked on in agreement of his stoning. His death shouted ‘faithful’ to all those who were onlookers.
- Peter – Peter and his brother, John were the first two disciples called by the Lord Jesus and after Jesus crucifixion became a missionary to the Jews.
- Ruth – Growing up as a Moabitess, she embraced the faith of her mother in law, stayed with her after her husband’s death, and met Boaz, her kinsmen redeemer. Ruth is known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law and for her faith in God.
- David – He was a man after God’s heart but he also chose to commit adultery, treason and murder. Despite his flaws, he is remembered for his love for God and for his leadership as a righteous king.
- Mary Magdalene – She became one of Jesus’ closest followers after Jesus had cast seven demons out of her. followers and was present at his crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. She is remembered for her devotion to Jesus, being present at his death and burial and also being the first person to see the risen Lord.
- James and John – James and John were two of Jesus’ disciples who were known as the “sons of thunder” because of their impulsive nature. They became bold witnesses for Christ and are remembered for their faith and devotion to Jesus.
- Timothy – Timothy was a young man who was mentored by Paul and became a leader in the early church to the Gentiles. He is remembered for his faithfulness, humility, and for being a good example to others in the church. He is considered one of the greatest missionaries of the early Christian Church.
Scriptures about Shining for Jesus
We all come to the place where we need a Scripture refresh. If you need a scripture about letting your light shine, here you go:
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:12
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Matthew 5:13-16
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light
Ephesians 5:8
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 1:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
1 Peter 2:9
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
Luke 8:16
Songs About Shining for Jesus
Shine on Me
This Shine on me hymn is an old time black gospel hymn/chorus sung by Dorothy Norwood
Here is the chorus from the Shine on me hymn:
Let it shine on me, let it shine on me
Oh, let Your light from the lighthouse shine on
Let it shine on me, let it shine on me
Oh, let Your light from the lighthouse shine on
Shine Jesus Shine
Shine Jesus Shine was popular in the 90’s and is a beautiful proclamation to let the light of God’s glory shine.
Here is the chorus of Shine Jesus Shine:Shine, Jesus Shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit blaze. Set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your Word, Lord, and let there be light
This Little Light of Mine
This Little Light of Mine i a favorite of young and old declaring Christians to let their light shine for Jesus.
Conclusion
In review, the 12 ways you can share the light of the glorious gospel to a dark world are:
- Living a life of integrity
- Sharing the gospel with others
- Serving others in need
- Praying for those around you
- Being an example of love and compassion
- Showing gratitude and generousity
- Participating in Worship/Church
- Having fellowship with other believers
- Bible study and prayertime
- Reaching out to the lost and hurting
- Refusing to compromise your faith and values
- Being compassionate
Jesus is the light of the world and we, as His followers, are also called to let our lights shine so all may come to know Him as their Lord and Savior.
Shining for Jesus is such an integral part of our Christian faith. May these 12 Practical Ways to Shine your Light in a Dark World be a blessing to you as you live for Jesus!
