Baskets That Hide the Light

Sewell Hall

One of the major purposes of this page has been to help all of our readers realize that whoever they are they can be “lights in the world.” We have featured those little noticed Christians who shine as lights in their own home towns as often as we have those who go to spend a lifetime in other parts of the world. Jesus was surely speaking to all disciples when He said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).

It is possible, however, for lights to be hidden. Jesus clearly implies that when He adds, “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house” (Matthew 5:15).

It goes without saying that sin is a basket that hides any light that may exist in our lives. It may not be as evident, however, that perceived sin can hide the light as surely as real sin. It is not enough just to avoid sin; we must avoid the appearance of sinning, or even suspicious circumstances suggestive of sin. The Holy Spirit advised the Romans: “Have regard for good things in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17).

In gathering funds for the poor saints in Jerusalem, Paul was careful to avoid any opportunity for questioning his honesty. After explaining his choice of highly respected helpers, he adds, “avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us—providing for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of all men” (2 Corinthians 8:20–21). Any questionable handling of funds is a basket that can hide the light of a church treasurer, an eldership, an evangelist or any individual Christian.

In describing his approach to soul-winning, Paul wrote: “To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law: to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law to God, but under law to Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:20–22). Paul’s light was always the same—Christ living in him—but he was careful to avoid allowing his freedom from the law to become a basket to hide his light among the Jews, or his Judaism to be a basket to hide his light among the Gentiles.

Even parading his strength could be a basket to hide Paul’s light among the weak. He was doubtless strong enough to go into an idol’s temple and eat the meat there without any thought of the idol, much less any worship of the idol. Yet, one of the reasons he gave for avoiding such action was the possibility that someone weaker might follow his example of eating and do so with reverence for the idol. “But take heed,” he wrote, “lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak” (1 Corinthians 8:9). Exercising our liberty may be a basket that hides our light.

Paul wrote to Timothy that he should exhort “the older women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all purity” (1 Timothy 5:2). Preachers need to be careful about the appearance of their visits with women, even for teaching them. Unmarried men and women taking extensive unchaperoned trips together or living together in an apartment has become a common practice in our society, and it is argued that the world thinks nothing of it. It may be true that the world does not disapprove (the world does not disapprove of fornication), but it is our belief that the world does think something of it—they assume that a man and woman living together are “living together.” However discreet the man and woman may be, they are in no position to prove their purity; their living arrangement becomes a basket that hides their light.

It is true that one cannot know a book by its cover, but the cover of a book can certainly discourage the reading of it. The personal appearance of Christians can determine whether their light will be seen or hidden. A Christian woman should adorn herself in a manner that is “proper for women professing godliness” (1 Timothy 2:10). Regardless of how pure she may be, if she wears seductive clothing that imitates the “attire of a harlot” (Proverbs 7:10), she will be judged by the world to be a harlot. No matter how manly a man may be, if he appears with the ornaments, hair style or conduct of a homosexual he will be judged to be that by the world. Appearance can most certainly be a basket that hides our light.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).^[1]

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^[1] Hall, S. (1995). Lights in the World: Baskets that Hide the Light. Christianity Magazine, 12(8), 44.