7 Practical Ways On How To Shine Your Light

This post is all about How to Shine Your light

When Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), He wasn’t kidding! As a believer, you have been given His Light so that you can shine for Him. How cool is that?

In this blog post, I’ll explore what it means to let your light shine and how to do so for Christ. I’ll also look at some Bible characters and see what we can learn from them. Finally, I will give you seven practical ways to let your light shine!

Ready? Let’s go!

I love lighthouses…

I love this topic of “How to shine your light” because I love lighthouses—fun fact: I have several photos of them in my home!

So in short, I genuinely love the idea of shining your light.

So let’s talk about this…

Lighthouses have been used for centuries to guide ships safely to shore. They are a symbol of hope and safety in the midst of stormy seas. In the same way, our lives can be like lighthouses shining forth the love of Christ to those around us.

What does it mean to let your light shine?

According to Hebrew and Biblical understanding, light is the manifestation of God Himself. It is His presence in the world, bringing hope and healing to humanity.

To let our light shine means:

  • To live in such a way that others see Jesus in us.
  • We reflect His character, love, and truth in all we do.
  • Being people of integrity who others can trust.
  • To be kind and compassionate, patient and forgiving.
  • Living our lives in to point others to Christ.

One of the most well-known verses about shining your light is Matthew 5:16. It says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

This is such an important verse because it not only tells us to let our light shine but it also tells us why. When our light shines, it allows others to see the good things that God has done in our lives. And when they see that, it brings glory to God! How awesome is that?

Why is it important to let your light shine

Here are five reasons why it’s important to let your light shine.

Reason #1: It allows you to be authentic

When you let your light shine, you are being true to yourself. You are not hiding who you are or trying to be someone you’re not. This is important because it allows you to be genuine and authentic in all that you do. People will appreciate your honesty and integrity and be drawn to you because of it.

Reason #2: It helps you to find your purpose

When you let your light shine, you are living in alignment with your values and beliefs. This allows you to find meaning and purpose in what you do. When you are doing something that is important to you, it is easy to stay motivated and focused. You will also be more likely to impact the world around you positively.

Reason #3: It makes you happy

When you let your light shine, you are living a life that is true to you. This means that you are doing things that make you happy and fulfilled. When you are following your heart, it is easy to feel joyful and content. You will also be more likely to attract positive people and experiences into your life.

Reason #4: It allows you to share your gifts with the world

When you let your light shine, you are sharing your unique gifts and talents with the world. This is important because it allows you to contribute in a way that is important to you. When you are using your gifts to help others, it is easy to feel fulfilled and satisfied. You will also be more likely to make a positive difference in the world.

Reason #5: It sets you apart from others

When you let your light shine, you are unique and special. This is because there is no one else in the world like you! You have your own gifts and talents that make you special. When you embrace your uniqueness, it is easy to feel confident and proud of who you are. You will also be more likely to attract others who appreciate your individualism.

Bible characters who let their light shine

The Bible gives us several examples of people who let their light shine. I will only list 3 for now:

  1. One of the most obvious examples is Jesus Himself! Throughout His ministry, Jesus shone His light in so many ways. He healed people, showed love to those considered outcasts, and preached the Good News of the Gospel. And because He did all these things, multitudes were drawn to Him. They saw His light, and it changed their lives!
  2. Another example is Joseph, who, despite being sold into slavery by his brothers and falsely accused of crimes he didn’t commit, still remained faithful to God. As a result, God blessed him and gave him favor with those in authority (Genesis 41:41).
  3. Lastly, Esther, who was a Jewish queen in a foreign land. When her people were threatened with extermination, she risked her own life to save them (Esther 1-10).

Key verses about letting your light shine

Finally, several key verses in the Bible teach us about letting our light shine.

Let’s look at a few:

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.Philippians 2:14-15

“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18

“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.” Isaiah 62:1-2

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”” John 8:12

“While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When he had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.” John 12:36

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:8-14

“Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.Colossians 1:12

Darkness and light cannot coexist

Why? This is because darkness is the absence of light and vice versa. In order for there to be darkness, there can not be any light present and vice versa.

This is such an important principle to understand. As Christians, we are called to be the light in the darkness. How can we expect to change the world for Christ if we are unwilling to let our light shine?

Fear of shining one’s light/ compromise

Now, as much as we are to become a light, we cannot compromise ourselves to make others feel comfortable.

Some people are afraid of shining their light. They don’t want to realize their full potential because it might make others feel bad. They dim their own light to make others comfortable. But they don’t realize that by dimming their light, they’re not helping anyone. In fact, they’re only making the world a darker place.

If we all shine our lights as brightly as possible, the world will be much brighter. We will all be able to see more clearly and find more meaning in life. So don’t be afraid to let your light shine. It’s the only way to overcome darkness.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:21

In order to live a life full of meaning, we must first understand that we are not to be conformed to the standards of this world. We are called to be transformed by the renewal of our minds so that we may discern what is good and acceptable and perfect according to God’s will. When we allow ourselves to be transformed by God’s truth, we begin to see life from His perspective and not our own. As we align our lives with His will, we begin to experience the abundant life He has promised us.

7 practical ways to let your light shine

let your light shine sermon

There are so many practical ways that we can let our light shine. It begins with living out our faith in our everyday lives. When we do this, people will take notice and be drawn to Christ. Here are some specific ways you can let your light shine:

1. Get involved in your community

One practical way to do this is by being involved in your community. Get involved in local service projects or volunteer at a local nonprofit. You can also shine your light by being a good example to those around you. Be kind, patient, and understanding. Show others the love of Christ through your actions.

2. Share your faith

Share your faith with others! You don’t have to be pushy or forceful, but you can share your testimony and what Christ has done in your life. You can also invite others to church or Bible study. When you shine your light, people will take notice.

3. Be authentic

Be authentic in our relationships with others. When we are real with people and show them who we truly are, it gives them the opportunity to see Christ in us. It also allows them to feel comfortable coming to us with their own struggles and needs because they know we will accept them just as they are.

4. Be compassionate

When we show compassion, it opens the door for people to see the love of Christ in us. It also allows them to feel cared for and valued, which can be a powerful witness for the gospel.

5. Have faith

Live out your faith boldly. This means being unashamed of the gospel and sharing it with others, even when it’s not popular or easy. Being bold in our faith shows others that we are not afraid to stand up for what we believe in. It also gives them the courage to do the same.

6. Pray

Pray for opportunities to shine your light. Ask God to open your eyes to people and situations where you can be a witness for Him.

7. Be an example

Live your life in such a way that others can see Christ in you. Let them see His love, joy, peace, and patience working in and through you. You can set an example by forgiving, being patient, and being kind.

If we want to make a difference in this world, we must let our light shine for Christ. We must be intentional about it. But the good news is that it’s not difficult to do! By following the seven practical tips above, you are definitely on the right path!

Prayer to shine your light

Father, thank You for calling us to be the light of the world. Please give us the courage to shine our light in dark places. Help us to reflect Your character in all we do. And help us never grow weary of doing good, for, in due season, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

And that’s it, folks, how to shine a light

If you are feeling lost or struggling to find your light, I encourage you to seek God first and foremost. Ask Him to reveal His will for your life and open your eyes to see the world through His lens. When we surrender our lives to Christ, He promises to give us everything we need to live a life that is abundantly full of His love and grace.

I pray that you will be able to shine your light brightly, knowing you are never alone in the darkness. God is always with you, leading and guiding you towards His perfect plan for your life.

Shine on! ✨

Hugs,

7 thoughts on “7 Practical Ways On How To Shine Your Light”

  1. We are all Indeed called to be a light in this world and one of the best ways to do that is by our actions. Like you wrote, showing compassion and being there for someone in need is a very powerful way to share Christ.
    God bless you Heather.

    Reply
  2. This message has blessed and encouraged me to be more intentional about shining my light.
    God bless you!

    Reply
    • Hello! I’m super happy that this post resonated with you! I’m so thankful that you took the time to comment and mention this. I really appreciate you. Hearts and hugs!

      Reply

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