Lessons from a Lamp: Are You Listening to God or Just Yourself?

A lamp is meant to shine. You would never light it and hide it under a blanket or push it under a bed. Jesus used this simple picture in Luke 8:16–18 to teach us something profound: God’s Word is like that lamp. It is given to guide, illuminate, and reveal—but only if we are willing to listen.

The challenge is that many of us, if we are honest, sometimes ignore His voice. We read Scripture but follow our own plans. We hear Truth but resist it because it disrupts our preferences. The question is not just whether God is speaking—He is—but whether we are truly listening.

How Can God’s Word Light Your Path?

Just as a lamp lights a room, God’s Word lights our path. It shows us where to go, what to avoid, and how to live in a way that reflects Jesus. That light is not meant for us alone. Many around us still live without the hope of Christ. Who in your life needs to see His light through you this week?

What Truths Will God’s Word Reveal About Your Life?

Jesus also says that nothing hidden will stay hidden. One day, every truth will come into the open—both the truth about who He is and the truth about our own hearts. This is a sobering reminder that we cannot hide from God. Instead of running from His light, what would happen if we invited Him to shine into every part of our lives now?

Are You Listening to God’s Word in a Way That Changes You?

Jesus urges us to “take care how you listen.” We can hear the Word passively, letting it wash over us without change, or we can hear it with faith, reverence, and prayer. When we listen actively, our understanding deepens, our spiritual hunger grows, and our lives bear more fruit. Are you listening in a way that changes you?

How Can You Shine the Light of Christ This Week?

You and I get one lifetime…no reruns, no do-overs. In our short years, we are called to bear fruit and shine right where God has placed us. That means showing up to worship ready to receive God’s Word. It means sharing the hope of Christ in our conversations. It means refusing to hide our faith when it could help someone find the light.

This week, who can you share the gospel with in your circle? The highest form of love is not keeping heaven to yourself, but inviting someone else to walk toward the light with you.