30 Bible Verses About Being a Light

There are many Bible verses about being a light and the symbolism is so profound. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus our Messiah.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

The short and darkened days of Fall and Winter are the perfect time to call to mind this theme. It’s beyond interesting to note that in the midst of this darkness, Christians and Jews around the world turn their attention and focus to two distinct celebrations of light; Christmas and Hanukkah respectively. Both of these festivals harken back to a time when this world’s darkness was at its peak, and yet God’s light broke forth in very historical and miraculous ways. Here are several Bible verses about being a light.

Jesus is the Light of the World

That same light that shone brightly two thousand years ago, is the same light that illuminated the world at creation. That light is good. It is a holy light. That same light also illuminates our hearts and lives within each of us as believers.

Jesus is the Light of the World. He called his disciples to be the light unto the world as well. Just as a small lamp can give light to a large room, each of us individually can be that beacon of light in our homes, workplaces, and communities.

God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. ~ Genesis 1:4

There are many Bible verses about being a light. Jesus came to shine the ultimate light, the light of salvation in our lives. Those who follow Him will also be called children of the light. Being imitators of Jesus, doing as He did, is what we are called to do. We are to reflect the light of the Son, as the moon reflects the light in the night. It is true that “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” ~ John 1:5

May these Bible verses about being a light be an illumination for you and your family at this time. Shine bright during this season and always. May God bless you abundantly!

Old Testament Verses

It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

~ Isaiah 49:6

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.

~ Psalm 36:9

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.

~ Proverbs 6:23

I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations.

~ Isaiah 42:6

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

~ Psalm 119:105

And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

~ Daniel 12:3

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

~ Proverbs 4:18

Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

~ Isaiah 60:1

New Testament Verses

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

~ Matthew 5:16

In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

~ John 1:4

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp-stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

~ Matthew 5:13-15

No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.

~ Luke 8:16

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

~ John 8:12

The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

~ Romans 13:12

For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord.

~ Ephesians 5:8

Walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth).

~ Ephesians 5:9

While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.

~ John 9:5

 

 

For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

~ Ephesians 5:14

So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.

~ John 12:35

For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”

~ Acts 13:47

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

~ Thessalonians 5:5

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

~ 2 Corinthians 4:6

And giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

~ Colossians 1:12

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

~ 2 Peter 2:9

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

~ Philippians 2:14-16

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

~ 2 Corinthians 16:14

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

~ Galatians 5:22-23

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world

~ John 1:9

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

~ 1 John 1:7

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

~ James 1:17