This story is a story about the Battle Within: The Struggle Between Good and Evil, Life and Death.
In our old house, my parents had a captivating artwork hanging on the dining room wall. It depicted an angel, a pristine white figure with a halo atop its head, sitting directly across from a crimson figure with horns protruding from its head. Positioned on a table between them, it appeared as though they were engaged in a game of chess. However, the pieces they used were human-like figures, adding an intriguing twist to the scene. They were playing for souls. I would gaze at that picture every single day, but it wasn’t until I grew older that I became truly captivated by it and its underlining meaning.
12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” ( Ephesians 6:12 NIV )
Playing chess can improve cognitive skills, such as concentration, pattern recognition, decision-making, problem-solving, and critical thinking. It also enhances self-confidence and self-worth, increases attention span, and boosts memory capacity. In other words, its suppose to make you more conscious of how to play to win. In chess, the key is to make strong moves and stick with them. Similarly, in life, when we plan or take action, we must stand our ground and fight for what we believe is best for us in order to win the game of life. Sometimes, when faced with a problem or threat in chess, as well as life, we need to be aggressive and take action before we surrender ourselves into the reach of something dangerous. The ultimate goal of the game is to checkmate the opponent’s king, which occurs when the king is in a position to be captured preventing any form of escape. However, what happens when the game is not just playing for pieces, but playing for the path of a person?
I sensed that this painting held significant meaning, something beyond its aesthetic appeal. It symbolized the eternal struggle between good and evil. It was then that I realized everyone in the world was engaged in a battle. Not just the struggle between good and evil, but the battle between life and death itself. All of this hinged on the deciding factor of our own free will in our daily choices. The meticulous details of our everyday lives ultimately shape our destiny. As I became more conscious of the world around me, I realized that each person is influenced by forces that are often invisible to the naked eye. Those who were influenced by God tended to make more righteous decisions, working towards the greater good. On the other hand, those who made choices that could hinder themselves and those around them seemed to be aligned with the opposing team. Although the influence is apparent, we all have a choice. The question is, which team are we allowing to win us over?
Therefore, it didn’t surprise me when some individuals felt called to abstain from certain aspects of the world or when their conscience weighed heavily on them after making wrong choices, exposing them to danger. Conversely, those who consistently made poor decisions became desensitized to the negative consequences. I understood that those striving to make better choices possessed a spiritual discernment, a certain “eye” that only God could provide. This protected them from hidden dangers and helped them distinguish between right and wrong. Others, however, seemed indifferent to either path, failing to recognize the evil lurking behind seemingly good things. In a youtube video titled, “Before God Corrects You, He’ll Send You These Warning Signs,” by David Diga Hernandez, he mentions that “The longer you ignore the voice of the Holy Spirit, the harder it becomes to hear and see, and the longer you can go without being convicted.” https://www.youtube.com/live/qVn3tgMfA60?si=qQpEEO6O9upBaxVv
This stark contrast between God and the devil became apparent to me. God is a vessel of differentiation.
From the moment my eyes beheld that painting, I made a conscious effort to align myself with the forces of goodness, at least I tried to. I refused to let evil exert its insidious influence over my life, but in reality, I wasn’t prepared to stop it. I must confess that, for a time, it did manage to seep into my existence. I could blame it on the fact that I’m young, but it was the result of pure detachment. I found myself consumed by anger and resentment towards God, blaming Him for subjecting me to countless trials and tribulations. Little did I know, He was merely testing the purity of my heart, the authenticity of my righteousness. I allowed the devil to manipulate me, slowly extinguishing the light within me and leading me towards the depths of darkness. I became lost in distraction, neglecting the very tasks that I knew God had called me to fulfill for His Kingdom. My life felt devoid of purpose, and I failed to connect with my true calling. I dwelled in that abyss for what seemed like an eternity, until, by the grace of God, He refused to let me wallow in the compromise of sin any longer. When I pleaded with Him to show me a better path, He answered my prayers and rescued me. I realized then that life was never meant to be a series of regrets and emptiness. I swiftly distanced myself from the clutches of that dark kingdom, and now, I am guided towards a purposeful existence, free from remorse. If only I could say the same for everyone else. Some people are still blindly following the path to death. Willingly forfeited their salvation for the vices of this world. It is causing people to work for the kingdom of darkness, some unknowing and some with detachment from the consequences. There will become a time where everyone will have to face God and answer for the willingness to turn a blind eye to the warnings of the Holy Spirit. And so, I pose these questions to you: who is guiding your decisions? Who or what are you allowing to use you as a vessel? What moves are you making that is maneuvering your destiny? & will you answer the Lord, before its too late?
