ESOCS Devotional 4 June 2026 – Shine the Light
MEMORY VERSE: “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and (recognize and honour and) glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 AMP
TEXT: MATTHEW 5:13-20
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
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What is shown is what is seen. Until you shine it, people will not be aware of the direction of the light. Jesus confers on us the light of the world and because the major assignment of the light is to shine, He instructs us to shine the light mightily before men, so that they can see, not how beautiful or handsome we are, not how gorgeously dressed or how highly placed or educated we are, nor how wealthy we are. But they should see our good works, deeds and moral excellence, which will in turn make them recognize, honour and glorify God, who is our Father in Heaven.
In this message, we shall take particular note of those that Jesus recommends should see our light. This is necessary; as often times we shine the light in church, only so that God will see it. This has opened the door for so much deception in the body of Christ whereby we are a different people in church and outside the church. We totally represent something else.
Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men; …” (Matt. 5:16 KJV). The meaning of that is:
Let your light so shine before your family members: As husband, what does your wife see in you; as a father, whom do your children see in you? What impression do your parents and relatives have about you? Charity they say begins at home. You must shine your light before your family members so much first before running outside to shine any light. It is unfortunate to note that at home most persons are worse than an infidel.
Let your light so shine before your neighbours: When carry your big Bible going to church, who do your neighbours see you to be? What light are you showing to them? Are you the quarrelsome and troublesome type? Do you make them see you as a killer and destroyer because you are a member of your church by your threats? Are you a chronic immoral person in your neighbourhood? What they should see are your good deeds and moral excellence.
Let your light so shine before your colleagues, customers, followers, and fellow citizens: Your colleagues in the office, course and classmates, contract and business partners and everyone that is associated with you should see the light of Christian and true Christian piety shining in your character and dispositions. That light should reflect on your conduct everywhere you go, and in all your dealings, as a true child of God. Be mindful of these truths in your Christian life.
Reflections
- You are the light of the world, don’t suffocate world with darkness through ungodliness.
Prayer
- Father, grant me the grace to shine the light to the world for all to see.
Further Reading: Exodus 7:25-8:5; 1 Kings 12:1-10; John 5:1-18; Revelation 3:1-6
ESOCS Devotional 4 June 2026
