Living in Realantasy?

We are surrounded by a world I call Realantasy—illusions dressed up as truth. It looks real. It feels real. But it’s a lie. That’s Satan’s strategy. He doesn’t need us to worship idols of stone; he just needs us content in a fake reality while the real spiritual battle rages on.

The Bible calls us to wake up and see reality in Christ.

Realantasy blinds, but Christ reveals. Paul reminds us, “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:4). The context is clear: Satan’s goal is to keep people from Christ. He sells the lie that freedom, joy, and life can be found anywhere but in Him. That’s Realantasy—fantasies packaged as reality. He blinds with counterfeit stories: life is about wealth, comfort, or self-identity. He blinds with endless distractions—media, scrolling, noise. He blinds with distortions—calling slavery freedom and darkness light. But Christ tears through the illusion and opens eyes to what is real: the light of His glory shining in the gospel.

Realantasy distracts, but true spirituality sees. Paul contrasts the temporary with the eternal: “We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18). In context, he’s speaking of suffering and glory—how our present trials are light compared to the eternal weight of glory ahead. Satan wants us glued to what is seen: the temporary, the fleeting, the fragile. That’s Realantasy. It insists: “This life is all there is—so grab what you can.” But faith lifts our eyes higher. The unseen realm is real. The promises of resurrection and new creation are real. Christ, ruling and interceding for His people, is real. Faith doesn’t step into fantasy—it wakes us up to reality.

Realantasy lies, but the Word destroys. Paul writes, “Though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh… we destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3–5). The context is spiritual warfare: not physical weapons, but truth against lies. Satan builds his false world with words—arguments, opinions, and ideologies that exalt themselves against Christ. That’s Realantasy: stories that shape culture, music, politics, and identity. But God tears it down with His Word. The gospel of Christ crucified and risen dismantles lies. The church, when it proclaims Christ, makes God’s wisdom known even to rulers and authorities in the unseen realm (Eph. 3:10). Words of truth break strongholds and set captives free.

Realantasy comes after us all. It tells us our worth is in our success, our possessions, our comfort, our power. It tempts us to believe this world is ultimate. But all of it is illusion. Every day two voices speak over us. The god of this world whispers: “Stay asleep in my realantasy.” The King of Glory declares: “Wake up to reality—I died and rose for you.” Realantasy feels safe, but it enslaves. Christ offers forgiveness, freedom, and eternal joy in His kingdom.

And when our eyes are opened by the gospel, we see clearly: we are free to live as beloved children of God. Our purpose is no longer bound to earthly success or fleeting pleasures. Our purpose is spiritual and eternal—to share the power of God in the gospel, to love and care for one another in the church, to join together in setting captives free. This world will burn, but Christ’s kingdom will not. And in Him, we have life, joy, and eternal purpose that no illusion can steal.

So here’s the question: Are you living in Realantasy—or in reality, the reality of Christ? One will keep you comfortable but enslaved. The other sets you free—free as a beloved child of God, free with eternal purpose, free to join His church in spreading the power of the gospel. Realantasy will burn. Christ’s kingdom will not.