A portable lighting device control module configured to intuitively adjust lighting operations of a portable lighting device by interpreting real-time user gestures and external conditions of the portable lighting device to modifying lighting operations in response thereto. The control module installed within a portable lighting device may be configured to permit automatic dimming of front-end LEDs, enable a low power standby mode in absence of motion being detected, automatic mode adjustments in response to low battery determination, adjustment to lantern mode when a bump gesture is detected, continuous alternation between modes within lantern mode by detecting subsequent bump gestures, exiting lantern mode by detecting orientation, locking the lighting operation to a specific mode by determining orienting as either upwards or downwards, switching between modes by performing twist and return gestures, switching between modes by performing whip gestures, instantaneously dimming the light intensity by twisting the portable lighting device.