Flesh vs. Spirit – The Battle Within and the Stories We Tell

There’s a battle that rages in every Christian—unseen but deeply felt. It’s not external, though it often affects everything outside us. It’s the war between flesh and Spirit. Paul writes in Galatians 5:17, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other...” That conflict is real. It shapes how we live, how we think, and, for writers, how we tell stories.

As a Christian who writes dark fantasy, I find myself drawn to exploring this inner conflict through characters, landscapes, and mythic imagery. The genres of fantasy and horror have long provided a canvas for spiritual truth—light and dark, good and evil, fallen and redeemed. But for me, it’s not just fiction. The darkness I write about is a mirror of the war within my own soul.

The flesh—the self-centered nature we're born with—seeks control, comfort, and glory. It whispers lies that say, “You deserve more,” “Take what’s yours,” “You can be your own god.” It thrives in the shadows. The Spirit, however, calls us to crucify that flesh. To walk in love, humility, self-control, and sacrifice. That path is narrow. It’s hard. It often feels like dying—and in many ways, it is.

But here's the good news: the Spirit has already won. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ didn't just pay for our sins—it broke the power of the flesh to rule us. Romans 8:13 reminds us, “If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” That’s not a poetic metaphor; that’s war language. Kill the flesh. Live by the Spirit.

And yet, the battle remains day by day.

I pour that tension into my writing. I create broken characters, many standing at the edge of ruin or redemption. I explore inner voices, moral compromise, and the pull of darkness that many fantasy heroes face, not as a plot device but as a reflection of real spiritual warfare. My stories are often grim but not hopeless because even in the darkest worlds, light can break through.

Some might wonder how a Christian can write dark fantasy at all. But I believe this genre, when shaped by a redeemed imagination, can reveal deep truths about grace, justice, sin, and salvation. It's not about glorifying evil—it's about exposing it, then pointing toward the Redeemer.

We are all writing a story with our lives—one choice, one battle at a time. The war between flesh and Spirit is real, but so is the victory we have in Christ.

So, whether you're fighting unseen battles or telling stories where characters must choose light or darkness, never forget: you’re not alone. The Spirit fights with you. The cross has made a way. And even in the darkest night, the Light still shines.