Lyric discussion by stoolhardy 

Cover art for Devils & Dust lyrics by Bruce Springsteen

In light of the war them of this song, the "Got God on my side" line is interesting. The worst, bloodiest wars are holy wars, and many people in these wars as well as other wars believe that God is on their side. The insurgents certainly believe they are on a jihad mission, and the U.S. is front-and-center involved in it. So Bruce is saying in this song that he does believe in God and the human race, but if he's not careful he could turn his belief in God into destruction against his fellow man. The main stanza of the song sums up the last idea:

I got God on my side We're just trying to survive What if what you do to survive kills the things you love Fears a powerful thing It'll turn your heart black you can trust It'll take your God filled soul Fill it with devils and dust

It makes you think, and also shows that the devil, or hate, fear and destruction, is not too far from a belief in God. The devil makes himself in the appear like God and his deeds, they say.