RWP states that the light hurts the eyes of the sinner and makes him thoroughly uncomfortable, so that he refuses to come into it.  Morris says, “The strife between good and evil is no tepid affair, but one which elicits the bitter hatred of the forces of evil.  One reason for this is brought out here. To come to the light means to have one’s darkness shown for what it is, and to have it rebuked for what it is.  No one likes this uncomfortable process, persistent wrongdoers least of all.” (p. 234)

When we come into the presence of a good person there is always an element of judgment that also enters, for we unconsciously compare ourselves with that person. There was a companion of Socrates named Alcibiades who more than once spoke, “Socrates I hate you, for every time I meet you, you let me see what I am.” (quoted in Barclay) When we come face-to-face with Jesus our internal condemnation is at its highest, so the natural reaction of those who love what they are doing is to avoid being near Him.

What about you? Do you have any darkness still in you? Don’t feel alone; we all do. The important question is not whether you have achieved moral perfection, but what do you do when the light reveals your darkness? God has given us a method of dealing with the darkness within us that He reveals (1 John 1:8-9).

1 John 1:8-9 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.