While growing up, the perception that the devil lacks a kingdom prevailed, but Matthew 12:25 denies this, revealing the devil’s dominion over demons. In this article, I’ll delve into an extensive study, drawing insights from Matthew 12:22-26, to explore the dynamics of God’s and the devil’s kingdoms. Please read on.
Understanding kingdoms
In biblical terms, a kingdom signifies more than a mere definition; it embodies authority, rule, and dominion. God’s kingdom is characterised by righteousness, power, love, and salvation (see 1 Corinthians 4:20, 1 Corinthians 13:13, Psalm 89:14). Meanwhile, the devil’s kingdom is characterised by gross darkness (see Colossians 1:13). Distinguishing between the power of darkness and the kingdom of darkness is crucial, as the former captures individuals within the latter, leading to issues like addiction and lack of freedom to live according to God’s dictates. Only Jesus’ power can break this stronghold over anybody living like that’s life.
Light and darkness
Scripture focuses on the supremacy of light over darkness, as evidenced in John 1:5. The light of Christ shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot comprehend it. That means darkness can never overpower light.
God desires people to be saved from the power of darkness in order to bring them into the kingdom of light (see 1 Timothy 2:4, Colossians 1:13). For people to be saved, they must see the light. The Bible makes it clear in 2 Corinthians 4:4 that the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ (paraphrased). Unbelievers are still in darkness because they are blind, and that is tragic. Light must, therefore, conquer darkness through righteous actions. So, keep preaching the gospel.
Supporting God’s work
Matthew 12:30 highlights the clear choice of being with or against Jesus. Supporting God’s work goes beyond monetary contributions; believers can also lend their support through prayer, spreading the message of faith, and volunteering their time and skills. Praying for the success and impact of God’s work, sharing the teachings of Christ with others, and actively participating in church activities are all effective ways to contribute. Every believer, regardless of financial capacity, can play a vital role in supporting and advancing God’s work through their unique abilities and commitment. It is essential for one not to fight against other ministers in the body of Christ. Because if you do that, you’re hindering unity in the body of Christ. And even though a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, Jesus will keep building His Church, but you’ll not succeed against Him in attacking others.
Unity is not uniformity
Unity is not about everyone being the same. Instead, it is like different pixels coming together to create a whole picture. In churches and Christian groups, there is diversity. They are not all identical. However, they share a common goal – to fulfil Jesus’ mission.
God doesn’t want us to be divided, even though we may have differences. Instead, He desires collaboration among ourselves. Church is about collaboration, not competition.
In conclusion, the unity of God’s kingdom stands in stark contrast to the potential disarray of a kingdom divided against itself. This exploration urges believers to actively participate in the divine work of dispelling darkness, supporting God’s mission, and fostering unity within the Christian community. May this understanding deepen our commitment to the cause of Christ.
