The Light of Truth
T. Kidd. Psalm 119:130 The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I. THE WORDS OF GOD ARE A LIGHT. No effect can rise higher than its cause, and nothing can impart what it does not possess; that which gives light on its entrance into the human heart, must be light, or at least have the property of communicating light. The sun in the firmament diffuses its beams, but has no power of giving sight: a man who is born blind, or who has lost the faculty of seeing, is strictly in darkness, notwithstanding the existence of day. In like manner, the holy Scriptures are a light from Heaven; they spread the most essential knowledge, and are adapted to produce the most beneficial effects; but multitudes are not savingly benefited by them: their minds are still dark, and their hearts remain impenitent and unholy. II. SOMETHING HINDERS THE ADMISSION OF THIS LIGHT INTO THE HEART. 1. Principally it is sin; the love of sin: these are opposed to every dictate of heavenly truth, and counteract its salutary effects. 2. The influence of the world. 3. Unbelief. 4. Prejudice. III. THESE HINDRANCES MAY BE REMOVED. By whom and in what way is this change produced? "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts." The Spirit applies the truth with almighty energy. By His agency the Word becomes effectual in them that believe, so that every obstacle is removed, every barrier subdued. IV. WHEN OBSTACLES ARE REMOVED, AND THE WORD OF TRUTH ENTERS, THE MOST BENEFICIAL EFFECTS ARE PRODUCED. 1. The right knowledge of ourselves. 2. The true knowledge of God. 3. The knowledge of Jesus Christ. 4. The way of salvation by the Cross of Christ is learnt. 5. It discovers to us the snares and dangers of the wilderness through which we pass; it informs us of the enemies we have to encounter, and the numerous evils to which we are exposed. 6. Its entrance in the heart helps us to form a just estimate of earthly things: it detects the emptiness and vanity of the present world, and all its concerns, and makes us acquainted with what is infinitely better — heavenly and eternal good. (T. Kidd.) Parallel Verses KJV: The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. WEB: The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.