The Life Of David / The Dark Side Is Real | Pastor Nate Keeler
We’ve all done it—lost our cool in a disagreement, given someone the cold shoulder, or obsessed over a grudge we couldn’t seem to let go. But what if those moments weren’t just missteps in our relationships? What if, underneath them, there’s a deeper fight going on—a fight you may not even realize you’re in?
Let’s talk about spiritual warfare, not in the dramatic, movie-style sense, but in the ordinary moments where it often hides in plain sight. Drawing from Saul’s story in 1 Samuel 28, here are three critical warnings that can protect your heart, your mind, and your relationships from the real enemy.
1. Know Your Real Enemy
Saul got so caught up in chasing David—who was never trying to steal his throne—that he lost sight of the real threat. While Saul was burning emotional and strategic energy on someone who wasn’t even his enemy, the Philistines were planning his downfall.
It’s a classic distraction move from the enemy.
The same thing happens to us. We get fixated on a person who hurt us, a partner who misunderstood us, a friend who let us down. Meanwhile, the real spiritual enemy—Satan—is strategizing behind the scenes, using our distraction to sneak in.
Ephesians 6:12 makes it crystal clear: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood.” That means your coworker who undercut you, your neighbor with the barking dog, even your spouse in the heat of an argument—they’re not your enemy.
The real battle is happening in the unseen realm: in our thoughts, in our spiritual resistance, in the tension between truth and lies. Satan’s goal isn’t just to hurt you—it’s to keep you angry, distracted, and reactive so you never notice what he’s doing.
Try this: When tension rises, stop and say, “You are not my enemy.” Say it to your spouse. Say it about your boss. Say it to your kids—even if they just broke a rule. And then ask God, “What am I really fighting here?”
2. Don’t Dabble in the Diabolical
When Saul didn’t hear from God, he turned to a medium—the spiritual equivalent of asking the enemy for help after God doesn’t pick up the phone. Desperate and afraid, Saul crossed a line that God had clearly drawn.
Modern versions of this look a little different—tarot cards, horoscopes, astrology apps, Ouija boards, “energy readings,” or practices like Reiki that rely on spiritual “guides.” It’s easy to write them off as harmless, or even helpful. But the Bible doesn’t treat them lightly.
C.S. Lewis said, “There is no neutral ground in the universe.” Every practice is claimed either by God—or by the enemy. There’s no spiritual Switzerland. If it doesn’t align with God’s Word, it’s not just “another path”—it’s a foothold.
And footholds lead to strongholds.
Here’s why this matters: The enemy wants you to believe these things can help you feel better, get clarity, or find healing. But any “peace” that bypasses Jesus is counterfeit. That’s not peace. It’s spiritual bait.
The warning isn’t just about avoiding the dark side—it’s about trusting that God’s way is enough. He doesn’t leave you hanging. He speaks through His Word, through prayer, through wise counsel. But you have to listen long enough to hear Him, and resist the urge to chase shortcuts.
Try this: Take a spiritual inventory. Are you using anything—books, crystals, meditation apps, even mantras—that pull power from a source other than God? If so, it’s time to let it go. Get rid of it. And then ask God to fill that space with His truth.
3. Recognize the Devil’s Footholds
Not every spiritual attack comes with a thunderclap. Some of the enemy’s best work starts with a tiny crack—a decision, a habit, a coping mechanism—that slowly opens a door.
In Ephesians 4:27, Paul writes, “Do not give the devil a foothold.” That word foothold implies leverage—a place to push deeper, stronger, further. And Satan doesn’t need much room to work.
So what does a foothold look like?
- Hallucinogenic drugs or psychedelics that alter consciousness.
- Eastern-style meditation that empties the mind instead of filling it with God’s truth.
- Reiki and New Age healing rituals that seek energy from unnamed spiritual sources.
- Habitual sin—anger, lying, lust, addiction, pride—that you justify or ignore.
None of these things might seem overtly dangerous. Some are even promoted as ways to “find yourself” or “expand your mind.” But they often leave a back door open—an invitation for spiritual confusion, deception, or despair to slip in.
That’s not healing. That’s slow erosion.
This doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy healthy, holistic care—God created herbs, natural medicine, and modern therapy. But anything that bypasses Jesus to bring peace or power? That’s a red flag.
And then there’s the more subtle stuff—unchecked anger, critical thoughts, or emotional walls. These might feel like normal responses, but over time they form patterns. And those patterns become strongholds. You don’t just feel angry—you become angry. You don’t just struggle—you stay stuck.
Try this: Ask God to reveal any footholds in your life. Be brutally honest. Is there a habit, a mindset, or a relationship that keeps tripping you up? It might be time to set boundaries, get accountability, or seek prayer to close that open door.
The Battle Is Real—but So Is the Victory
This isn’t about fear. It’s about clarity.
The devil doesn’t need your full attention. He just wants enough room to operate quietly in the background. But once you identify the real enemy, cut ties with deception, and guard your life against spiritual intrusion, the battle changes.
You’re no longer just reacting. You’re standing. You’re resisting. You’re reclaiming ground.
And here’s the truth: Jesus already won the war. The cross defeated the enemy. The resurrection crushed the power of death. You’re not fighting for victory—you’re fighting from it.
So don’t retreat. Don’t shrug it off. Don’t give up ground that Jesus already bought.
And then… walk forward in the confidence that comes from fighting the right battle.