Why light a lamp or switch on a torch?  The answer should be obvious: to see … to know where we are and to know which way to go on.  But some people do not want to see.  They prefer to live in the darkness, so that their actions cannot be seen (John 3:19-20).  Spiritually, their choice reveals their character, and their non-relationship to Jesus who is the Light of the world (John 8:12).  Truth illuminates our hearts and minds like light (Psalm 119:105).  If we hide it from others, they cannot know what is good, and if we hide away from it ourselves or fail to put it into action, it reveals our own spiritual corruption.

The disciples were in training to become apostles – the leaders of the Early Church.  Jesus told the parable of the sower so that they would be intrigued and want to find out its meaning (Luke 8:9-10).  When Jesus told them, He 'turned the light on' so that they could understand their commission to distribute God's Word, and also be prepared for different people responding according to what was in their hearts.  Their reaction to the gospel would display their true inner desires because it both illuminates God's plan and searches people's hearts at the same time. So, God's truth is both a light and a mirror (James 1:23-25).

Many small children will shut their eyes to prevent them seeing something that frightens them.  But their self-blindness does not eliminate the fearsome reality.  One day, everything will be exposed to God’s searching light (Hebrews 4:13).  Changing the analogy, Jesus warns against deafness towards what He is saying.  When God speaks, only those who hear and obey will be rewarded (Luke 11:27-28).

Therefore, what we do with the truth we receive is more significant than we may have thought.  If we ignore it, why should God reveal more?  If we hide from it, our action says more about us than about the searchlight quality of God's Word.  If we share it, we are living a life of purpose; but if we hide it from others, we have forgotten what our purpose in life is.  On the other hand, if we receive it with joy and allow it to work in our lives to produce Christ-likeness, then we will be greatly productive in the 'family business' of God's Kingdom (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).