Understanding Spiritual Warfare: Victory Through God's Presence, Prayer, and SurrenderSample

Two Kingdoms at War

Every person on earth belongs to one of two kingdoms: the kingdom of darkness, ruled by Satan, or God’s Kingdom of light. When we came to Christ, he rescued us from Satan’s kingdom and welcomed us into God’s Kingdom. Colossians 1:13-14 says, “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins” (NLT).

But being rescued didn’t remove us from the war. If anything, it intensified it. Now we have two natures within us, fighting against each other. Our old sinful nature, defeated but still vocal, tries to drag us back into rebellion and sin. God’s Spirit gently and persistently challenges us to do what is right instead.

Making this internal battle more complicated, we exist in a world largely under Satan’s control that constantly tempts us with false promises. Satan’s tactics haven’t changed since the Garden of Eden—he still uses lies to entice us to come back under the control of darkness.

The apostle John writes, “for everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:16, NIV). If you find yourself craving sinful pleasures, coveting things that aren’t yours, or being tempted to elevate your own opinions and desires above God’s Word, you are experiencing that inner battle firsthand.

With the wisdom of God’s Spirit in you, you can identify those temptations and see them for what they are—lies from Satan meant to bring you back under the influence of the kingdom of darkness. And with the power of that same Holy Spirit, you can resist the temptations and experience the fullness of life in the Kingdom of light.

Right now, I want to encourage you to stop and thank God for bringing you into his Kingdom. Then, ask yourself if you are abiding there, or if the pull of the old kingdom is still present. Ask God to reveal any areas where you might be letting the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life draw you towards the kingdom of darkness that once held you in its power.

Then commit to obeying him in every area as his Spirit helps you live in freedom in the Kingdom of God.

Reflection Questions

1. What temptations have felt particularly strong this week? Why? How have I handled them so far? Is there anything the Holy Spirit is telling me about how to get victory in these areas?
2. We all face a daily choice between abiding in the Kingdom of light or veering towards the kingdom of darkness. In what areas have you had to make that choice recently? How did you respond, and what happened as a result?