In the Bible, the word “chicken” can refer to a type of Christian (believer).
Matthew 23:37 says, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under wings, and ye would not.”
Christ used the simple, everyday things of life to teach the greatest spiritual truths.
“Going light” is a term used to describe birds that are ill. It is a symptom of an underlying condition. Most chickens have diseases of tuberculosis and worms. These diseases are detected by these symptoms. The chickens would appear listless, have a dejected appearance and lose weight.
These symptoms are practically the same as those of Christians who are spiritually diseased.
First, they appear listless. They feel indifferent to what’s going on about them. They have no interest in spiritual things. Jeremiah 12:11 says, “They have made it desolate. It mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.”
The second symptom is they are dejected in appearance. The appearance is that of depression, discouragement, cast down in spirit, and unconcern.
The third symptom of a Christian affected by the disease of “Going Light” is the same as that of the common chicken…they lose weight. Christians today are spiritually anemic and undernourished, so that they weigh low on God’s scales.
In Daniel 5:27-30, we find Belshazzar dying with this disease. “TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES: Thy kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians. Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.”
The same treatment for “Going Light” in birds is the same for Christians with this same spiritual disease. It has to be wormed out. To worm means to kill out. This is the office work of the Holy Spirit. Preaching the Word of God under the anointing of the Holy Spirit will drive out the worms (sins) and bring back the health Christians need.
Malachi 4:2 encourages the Christian. “But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”