Recently, I had the opportunity to challenge a youth group in Asia to be the light of the world—reflect Jesus our Savior and bring glory to our Father in Heaven (Matt. 5:16). This topic got me thinking about—and developing a whole playlist for—songs about LIGHT vs. darkness.

I’ve organized this playlist into two main themes based on the words of Jesus:

“I Am the Light of the World“
“You Are the Light of the World”

Perhaps my favorite from this whole list is “Be the Moon” by Chris Tomlin featuring Brett Young and Cassadee Pope. This wonderful message that “I’m just a reflection of the love that I’ve been given” has stuck with me ever since I first heard it.

Access the Full Playlist Here!

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Jesus Said:

“I Am the Light of the World”

Jesus said of Himself: “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12; John 9:5) This means three things about Christ:

• He Shone in the Darkness (John 1:9, Matt 4:16)
• He Exposed That Darkness (Luke 8:17; John 3:19-21)
• He Radiated the Glory of God (1John 1:5; John 14:9)

Check out these 10 songs on this wonderful theme:

1. “Jesus, Light of the World” – Third Day (Christmas Song)
   “Jesus, light of the world, shine in our hearts, show us the way tonight.”
   
2. “How Dark the Night” – Church Works Media (Christmas song)
   “How dark the night of fallen souls…till Jesus breaks our moral night and melts the heart of stone.”
   
3. “Light of the World” – Lauren Daigle (Christmas song)
   “O come, Emanuel. And can you hear the angels singing? Glory to the Light of the world.”
   
4. “A King Like This” – Chris Tomlin
   “The Light has come. He is Christ the Lord. He is Christ our Savior. I bow my before no other name.”
   
5. “Let There Be Light” – Third Day
   “Let there be light to bring us back home. There is one light. There is one Savior of the world.”
   
6. “You Are the Light” – Sarah Hart
   “You are the Word that’s written deep within the hearts of all who long for endless days beyond the skies.”
   
7. “Light of Heaven” – Fernando Ortega
   “Light of Heaven, Lord of mercy. Shine the goodness of your love upon this day.”
   
8. “Glorious Day” – Casting Crowns
   “Word became flesh and the Light shined among us—His glory revealed!”
   
9. “Be Thou My Vision” – Steph MacLeod (one of my favorite artists)
   “Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.”
   
10. “Abide with Me” – The Slocan Ramblers
    “Abide with me fast falls even time. The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide.”

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Jesus Also Said:

“You Are the Light of the World”

Yet Jesus also said His disciples and us: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matt 5:14; Luke 11:35-36) This means three similar things about us:

• We Are to Shine in the Darkness (like Paul in Acts 26:17-18)
• We Are to Expose the Darkness (Eph 5:11-14)
• We Are to Reflect the Glory of God (Matt 5:16)

Check out another 10 songs on this second wonderful theme:

1. “Be the Moon” – Chris Tomlin
   “I wanna be the moon up among the stars, fly around the world lighting up the dark of night.”
   
2. “Let There Be Light” – The City Harmonic
   “Make us like a moon at night, a mirror of the Light. With just a word set the dark to flight.”
   
3. “Shine” – Salvador
   “Lord, let me shine—shine like the moon, a reflection of you, all that I do.”
   
4. “Let Your Light Shine in Darkness” – New Scottish Hymns
   “As the moon reflects the sun, now radiant we stand, freed from sin and Satan’s grip, God’s kingdom is at hand.”
   
5. “Asleep in the Light” – Keith Green
   “The world is sleeping in the dark that the church just can’t fight, cuz it’s asleep in the light!”
   
6. “The Light in Me” – Brandon Heath
   “You let Your love shine down, so that the world could see You put the light in me.”
   
7. “Shine His Light” – Dad Swag
   “In the darkness of this world, a light we bear, shining bright and bold, showing Jesus’ cares.”
   
8. “Lights Shine Bright” – Toby Mac
   “I want to magnify your light. I want to reflect the sun. Cut like precious diamonds with colors by the millions.”
   
9. “Shine” – Matt Redman
   “We will shine like stars in the universe, holding out your truth in the darkest place.”
   
10. “Send the Light” – Brandenberger Family (bluegrass instrumental; well worth a listen!)
    “There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save: Send the light! Send the light!”

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Conclusion

Listen to these songs as you live a life meant to reflect the Glory of God. As you do, consider in which areas you tend more towards darkness than light. Do you reflect the light of Jesus or the world’s darkness in your words, actions, attitudes, and character?

Do you reflect the light of Jesus or the world’s darkness…

• with the words you SPEAK?
• with the words you WRITE?
• with things you DO?
• with the things you WATCH?
• with your ATTITUDES?
• with how you behave when you’re ALONE?

Tell another believer where you struggle most and ask them for prayer and accountability in this area. Together, Let’s “be the moon up among the stars, fly around the world lighting up the dark.”

©2025 E.T.

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