Two Kingdoms at War: Who Sits on Your Throne?

Tim Peden
May 23
4 min read

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.” — Colossians 1:13 (NIV)

The Internal Tug-of-War I Didn't Notice

It started subtly.

Life was tough but good. I had a family, investments, enjoyed where I was worshipping, and a successful job. It all made sense until things stopped working. My marriage ended, and I lost contact with my daughter. The job ended, and my life was turned on its head. I stopped and asked God, “What are you doing? Why are you allowing this to happen?”

Then, one day, while reading Colossians 1:13, I stopped. He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves.”

The Holy Spirit whispered a quiet question to my heart: “Are you living in the kingdom of the Son—or in the kingdom of yourself?”

That question cut deep.

I realised I had been trying to live life my way—wearing the badge of a Christian, but operating as the ruler of my own private world. The issue wasn’t a lack of belief; it was misplaced kingship. I had pushed Jesus out of His rightful place and taken the throne for myself.

The Bible’s Two-Kingdom Framework

Scripture presents a clear divide: there are two kingdoms at work in every human heart: the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Self. And make no mistake—they are at war.

The Kingdom of God

This is life under the reign of King Jesus. It’s a life marked by trust, surrender, order, joy, and flourishing. It’s not free of difficulty, but it is full of meaning. God defines what is good in this kingdom, and we align our lives to His will. It’s a kingdom of light, peace, righteousness, and rest. And best of all—it’s a kingdom that grows. As more people surrender to Jesus, the kingdom expands. We flourish together.

The Kingdom of Self

This is the counterfeit. It’s subtle, alluring, and deadly. In this kingdom, I get to be god. I define truth. I decide right and wrong. Everything and everyone exists to serve my needs. It may feel empowering at first, but it's isolating. There’s no room for others to thrive when everything revolves around you. It’s a kingdom of one. And nothing grows there—except frustration.

The Bible calls the kingdom of self “the dominion of darkness.” It hides behind our desires for control, comfort, and independence. But it always leads to exhaustion and emptiness.

Signs You’re Living in the Kingdom of Self

This kingdom doesn't always look like outright rebellion. More often, it disguises itself in everyday attitudes:

Do I get defensive when others challenge my opinion?
Do I only pray when I need something from God?
Do I secretly believe my way is better than God’s?
Do I expect others to fit into my plans and expectations?
Do I pursue happiness at the expense of holiness?

If you recognise yourself in any of these, you’re not alone. The battle between the two kingdoms is daily. But the good news is: Jesus came to rescue us from the dominion of darkness and bring us into His kingdom (Col. 1:13).

What Makes God’s Kingdom Different?

Here’s what I’ve learned:

In the Kingdom of God, there’s room to grow. You're not alone. You walk with others, and Christ leads the way.
In the Kingdom of God, you're not in control—and that’s freeing. You don’t have to know it all, fix it all, or be it all. God is enough.
In the Kingdom of God, boundaries are gifts, not burdens. God’s limits protect you. They lead to wholeness, not restriction.
In the Kingdom of God, there’s fruit that lasts. Peace. Joy. Patience. Love. Growth that doesn’t depend on your effort alone (Galatians 5:22–23).

In contrast, the Kingdom of Self runs on comparison, striving, and self-justification. It offers the illusion of freedom while binding you in pride, fear, and restlessness.

A Kingdom That Cannot Stand

The Kingdom of Self feels empowering until you realise it can’t sustain itself. You carry the weight of your own happiness, success, and worth. And when things go wrong—as they inevitably do—you’re left with no one but yourself to blame.

That kingdom cannot stand.

Jesus offers a better way: “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). His kingdom is marked by rest because the King Himself is faithful, good, and just.

So What Do We Do?

Here’s the invitation:

1. Identify the King

Ask yourself honestly: Who’s really in charge? Is Jesus truly ruling your heart, or just fitting into your plans?

2. Surrender the Throne

You were never meant to bear the weight of godhood. Confess the areas where you’ve taken control and invite Jesus to reign.

3. Live Within His Kingdom

Let His Word shape your thoughts, actions, and identity. Stay within His boundaries—they’re not barriers, they’re blessings.

4. Choose Daily

This isn’t a one-time fix. Every day, we choose which kingdom we will serve. Ask God each morning to help you live under His reign.

Reflection Questions

Where do I see evidence of the Kingdom of Self in my daily choices?
What do I believe about God’s authority that either frees me or causes resistance?
How do I respond when life doesn’t go my way—do I trust or try to control?
What would change if I truly lived with Jesus as King in my relationships, time, or work?
What is one practical step I can take today to move from self-rule to God’s rule?

References for Further Study

Colossians 1:13–14 – Rescued from darkness into Christ’s kingdom.
Matthew 6:33 – Seek first His kingdom and righteousness.
Galatians 2:20 – “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
Romans 12:1–2 – Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Philippians 2:5–11 – Jesus' model of humility and kingship.
Galatians 5:22–23 – The fruit of living by the Spirit.

Final Thought: Choose Your Kingdom

There is a war inside you, but you don’t fight alone. Jesus has already won the victory. The only question left is this:

Will you live in the freedom of His kingdom, or stay trapped in the loneliness of your own?

Let Jesus be King. You’ll never regret surrendering to the One who gave everything for you.