Opening Verse
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
— Ephesians 6:11 (KJV)
Introduction
Spiritual warfare is real. Many focus on protecting themselves from external attacks, yet the most dangerous threats often come from within. This is the story of a man who spent his life running from an enemy he could see, only to realize the true danger lay within him all along.
Devotional Story: The Chase
Ethan ran.
His breath was heavy, his legs burned, and his heart pounded like a war drum. Behind him, the shadowy figure pursued him with relentless speed. No matter where he turned—alleyways, abandoned buildings, open streets—the pursuer was always just behind him.
In desperation, Ethan fortified his house, double-checking every lock, installing cameras, reinforcing the doors and windows. He carried weapons, trained in self-defense, and mapped out escape routes. He was prepared for an external attack.
Yet, the dreams continued.
Every night, he found himself running, always chased but never caught. The terror was suffocating. One night, exhausted, he collapsed in his dream, allowing his pursuer to catch him. As the figure loomed over him, Ethan braced himself for the strike.
Then, the shadow stepped into the light.
It was him.
His own face, contorted with darkness, stood before him. A mirror image, but corrupted—his fears, his sins, his hidden compromises, all taking form. Ethan had been running, not from an external enemy, but from the unguarded doors of his own heart, where sin had crept in unnoticed.
He awoke in a cold sweat, the realization gripping him: He had spent years preparing for an attack from the outside, while the real battle was happening inside.
What This Means
Ethan’s story is a powerful illustration of the Christian life. Many believers focus on protecting themselves from external threats—the world, the devil, the persecution of man. But the most dangerous enemy often operates inside, hidden in the heart.
Jesus warned in Matthew 15:19-20:
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man…”
No amount of external protection can guard against an enemy that has already infiltrated from within. Sin, unchecked thoughts, compromise, and unrepentant actions are the real threats. The devil doesn’t need to break into a fortified house if he’s already been invited inside.
Think About This
- What are you guarding against? External threats or internal strongholds?
- Are there sins in your life that you have excused or ignored?
- Are you focusing more on defending yourself against the world rather than examining your own heart?
Paul exhorts us in 2 Corinthians 13:5:
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”
It’s time to stop running from the truth. The real battle is within.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, reveal to me the hidden battles I have ignored. Help me not to focus only on external defenses but to guard my heart against the enemy within. Cleanse me of secret sins, renew my spirit, and strengthen me to stand firm in Your righteousness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing Verse
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
— Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)
