The Core Principle
Darkness does not simply dislike the light; it is blinded by it. When the Holy Spirit and God's light are shining brightly within you, chaotic forces and spiritual adversaries cannot stand to look at you. The purity and clarity of that light physically hurts their eyes. Light functions as a spiritual force field. Just as physical light naturally displaces shadow without effort, divine light creates an environment where chaos cannot easily take root or remain comfortably.
From a dark perspective, a blazing light creates a complete barrier. Adversaries cannot see what is beyond the light or uncover your next steps. Because they are blinded by your light, they cannot track your movements or find a foothold in your life. They can see the direction you are headed in, but they cannot see your next steps or influence the direction you take. Although they cannot get to you and looking at you causes discomfort to their spirit, you can get distracted and look back at them.
The pull of your flesh or the familiar spirit of your past can cause you to turn back towards the life you were leaving, and getting out of God's will dims the light. The temptation to turn back is the moment that you tell yourself that you are no longer going to do or be a part of a certain thing, (like gossip, drinking, sexual relationship, etc,). It seems like the very next day or right after, someone offers you the very thing that you said you were not going to partake in again. It is at that time that you have to decide whether you are going to continue forward into this new mindset or if you are going to backslide into the very thing you were moving away from. Those who couldn't bear to look at you before, when you were walking in your purpose feel just a little more comfortable with you since they recognize the version of you they are comfortable with. The moment you start to step back into what you were once walking away from, the light in you starts to dim just a little more.
The Strategy of Attack
The enemy cannot see you through the brightness of your alignment, nor can he take the blessings that God has placed along the path of His will for your destiny. Instead, his strategy is to distract, irritate, or provoke you into stepping away from that path. One way this temptation can come is through a longing for acceptance. When you want to feel included or understood, you may be tempted to return to familiar habits or compromise the boundaries you have set just to keep a place among people you once felt connected to. What feels like an opportunity to belong can become a distraction from the very path you have committed to. The goal of the attack is to dim your light.
Another distraction can come when someone tests your faith by seeing whether you can be provoked to anger. They may bring up your past, question the changes you have made, or say something hurtful to see if you will respond as you once did. The temptation is to prove yourself, defend your growth, or have the last word. But not every challenge requires you to step out of your peace, and not every hurtful remark means the person speaking is your enemy. If you allow the provocation to lead you into retaliation or bitterness, your attention shifts from where God is leading you to what is trying to pull you back. However, when you respond with grace, keep your internal peace, and hold your boundaries, you maintain your high beams. You can be firm without being cruel, and you can walk away without needing to prove that your faith is real.
The Reality of Elevation
When you are operating in a lower season or survival mode, you are predictable and relatable to the past. People from your past can easily call your name, look your way, and attempt to box you in. But once you go through the fire, clean your spiritual house, enforce firm boundaries, and walk in total alignment, your growth acts as a direct conviction to stagnation. They may look away, refuse to acknowledge you, or accuse you of bragging simply because the light you carry shines too brightly for their comfort. You do not need to hide in the shadows to make others comfortable.
Along this path of God's purpose, you will meet other Christians who are aligned and walking out their purpose daily with God. Your light will not offend or convict them, but will enlighten, uplift, and give them something to relate to. One thing about walking in your purpose with God is that it can seem lonely at times because no one can fully understand the assignment that God is calling you to fulfill. But you can relate to one another in knowing that He has given all of us a purpose, even though only a few choose to walk in it daily. When you meet them, the walk feels a little less lonely.
The Daily Mandate
To keep the enemy from navigating your space, do not focus on fighting the darkness directly on its own terms. Instead, focus on continually filling yourself with the light of God, the Word of God, prayer, and absolute integrity. God is your protection. Stay rooted in His Word and guard the peace He gives you.
