Two opposing kingdoms vie for our hearts. Which has the strongest pull on us?

“You let the world, which doesn’t know the first thing about living,

tell you how to live.” Ephesians 2:2 MSG

Let me state the sometimes-forgotten truth… we live on a battlefield between the kingdom of this world and the Kingdom of heaven. They have totally opposite operating systems and the success of each will either send you to hell or heaven.

• The kingdom of darkness exalts ‘self’ with its narcissistic preoccupation with all things about ‘me,’ – but God’s Kingdom notices and looks out for others, even at cost to self.
• The kingdom of darkness emphasizes ‘now’ with little attention to later – but God’s Kingdom recognizes that we are living while preparing for ‘forever.’
• The kingdom of darkness loves and gravitates toward hidden darkness because its deeds are always evil – but God’s Kingdom is open to observation and vulnerability, inviting personal responsibility and openness to truth.
• The kingdom of darkness celebrates death and is accompanied by decay, deceit and the total collapse of hope. There is no hope in the dark night of this kingdom – but God’s Kingdom opens all the windows of the soul to capture the dazzling sunlight of God’s love and provision and eternal plan.
• The kingdom of darkness shackles all who embrace it. Addictions to drugs, alcohol, and pornography are all symptoms of those living within its borders. – but God’s Kingdom is the site of freedom from all slavery and tyranny from the past.
• The kingdom of darkness screams its advertising in pounding and unrelenting noise, making the heart hurt and truth elusive – but God’s Kingdom, while able to be loud and powerful, still uses the ‘still small voice’ to communicate with those who dwell in it.
• The kingdom of darkness is a continual trail of endless detours, box canyons that go nowhere and dizzying deceit about the safety of the road traveled – but God’s Kingdom offers a ‘straight and narrow path’ that always leads upward toward a future rich in its offerings.

It’s astounding we give a system that knows nothing about living the right to mold our thinking.

Is there any proof at all to their marketing? Do those entrapped by their philosophy of living really have a compelling testimony?

It’s time to turn off their influences, shut down their voices, ignore their persistent call to ‘the dark side’ and “come out from among them” (II Corinthians 6:17). This is God’s time for the Church to reach for righteousness and live lives in the light and joy of God’s Kingdom.