So, this past Sunday I shared about the powers and principalities and if you were there, you’ll note that I wasn’t referring, necessarily, merely to the scary ones with ominous names and spooky vibes—but more the subtle ones that tend to get a pass due to their very innocuous and non-threatening nature. You know, the ones that smile politely and offer you a coffee while they rearrange your soul and challenge your allegiance.

Paul saw these powers and principalities as operating in the unseen realm yet having very real influence in our world. Despite our tendency to imagine straightaway spiritual forces that look like dark figures with red horns and pitchforks, the reality is that most often, these powers don’t announce themselves with fanfare. They just blend in. They show up as just a part of every day life that we rarely pay heed to.

These spiritual forces are oftentimes the “ideas” and values that shape us. Here’s a sample that, if you’re at all like me, you’ll notice can rear its ugly head if we are only willing to be introspective:

• “More is better” (consumerism).

• “Be true to yourself above all else” (individualism, autonomy).

• “Our nation is sacred & superior” (nationalism, tribalism).

• “We are what we accomplish” (achievement, productivity culture).

• “Our worth is in our appearance, influence, success, etc” (image culture, capitalism, pick your poison).

Here’s the kicker: none of these would be considered “fringe” ideas. They’re pervasive in society – the marketing that we buy into, the newsfeeds we scroll through and the water cooler convos at the office. They’re just…. there.  And so due to their subtle yet ubiquitous and insidious presence, they end up discipling us unawares. They shape how we live, think, spend, relate and even worship. If, as Paul suggests, these powers and principalities are in fact “spiritual powers,” that means they’ve got, well, power. They’ve got the potential to hold grip strength over us and that makes it tough to disassociate from–let alone to accept–their influence over us.

But it does not have to be this way, nor should it be for we whose allegiance belongs to a different Kingdom.

When when we say “Jesus is Lord,” it’s not just saying something sweet and spiritual that looks good on a bumper sticker. It is making a political, spiritual and even existential declaration. Effectively, in proclaiming Jesus is Lord, we’re saying “This other thing is not Lord.” In other words, we’re pushing against the spiritual powers directly. We’re confessing our allegiance to Jesus over nationalism. Over fear. Over my bank account. Over my ego. Over my curated online persona. Even over my religious assumptions that give me a sense of superiority. Ugh. That last one is a real toughy for us religious-types.

This week, here’s my challenge to all of us: Take inventory and pay attention to the forces, the powers, the ideals that are vying for your allegiance. Which of these “powers” do you notice are discipling you? What voices are shaping your week? What messages are forming your identity?

These ideals—the powers—don’t typically present like evil leaders or tyrants. Instead, they slip in through the side door. They show up in the apps we scroll, the headlines we skim, the expectations we absorb, and the stories we tell ourselves about what matters and who we are. They rarely demand your allegiance out loud—but they’re always recruiting and seeking greater influence in our world. And unless we name them, we’ll keep mistaking them for normal.

But here’s the good news: the Kingdom of God is not ruled by powers. It’s ruled by Jesus, crucified and risen. And wherever we see love, mercy, reconciliation, generosity, and community—the powers tremble, and the kingdom is surely breaking through.

Grace and peace,
Steve