The Enemy Within
November 2, 2025
Isaiah’s ministry began in a nation that looked devout but was spiritually diseased. The people performed acts of worship while ignoring justice, truth, and compassion. In this opening message from the Here I Am series, Pastor Gary Webber reminds us that before God can use us to change the world around us, He must first cleanse the world within us. Only when the “enemy within” is exposed and forgiven can we say, “Here I am, send me.”
Passage
Isaiah 1:1-20; Isaiah 5:20-24
Principle
Before God ##speaks## through you, He must ##confront## the ##enemy## ##within## you.
Practice
Examine your ##heart## and ##habits##
Small Group Questions
Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couples or family devotion, or with a small group.
HANGOUT
When have you realized that the biggest obstacle in your life wasn’t external (circumstances, people, or systems), but internal—something within yourself?
HEAR
Read Matthew 23:1-12
- What are some ways the religious leaders of Jesus’ day were practicing hypocrisy? Why do you think hypocrisy is so dangerous to faith?
- Jesus said, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” What does humility look like in practical, everyday life?
- What might be some modern forms of “heavy burdens” that religious people still place on others today?
Read Matthew 23:13-24
- Why does Jesus pronounce such strong “woes” against the religious leaders? What are the recurring themes in His rebukes?
- How can religious zeal or attention to detail distract from the heart of God’s law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness?
- How can we cultivate discernment so that we don’t “strain out a gnat and swallow a camel”?
Read Matthew 23:25-39
- Jesus accuses the leaders of cleaning the outside of the cup while the inside remains full of greed and self-indulgence. What are some “outer” ways we might appear spiritual while our inner life tells a different story?
- Why do you think Jesus’ harshest words were for the religious elite, not for the obviously immoral or irreligious?
- What does it look like for the gospel to cleanse the “inside of the cup”? How does repentance restore integrity between our inner life and outer actions?
HUDDLE
Where might “the enemy within” show up in your life right now—through pride, hypocrisy, self-justification, or apathy? What would repentance and renewal look like for you this week? Talk about it, pray together, and invite accountability.
Daily Reading
As you read each passage, look for connections to this week’s sermon and small group discussion. Invite the Holy Spirit to teach you and to expose “the enemy within” that keeps you from wholehearted devotion.
- Day 1: Isaiah 1:10-20
- Day 2: Isaiah 5:20-24
- Day 3: Matthew 23:1-12
- Day 4: Matthew 23:13-24
- Day 5: Matthew 23:25-39
- Day 6: Psalm 51:1-17
- Day 7: James 4:1-10
Passage to Memorize: Isaiah 1:18
Think Deeper
- Where do you see signs of “the enemy within”—habits, thoughts, or compromises that pull your heart away from God?
- How might God be calling you to speak or live differently in a culture that confuses good and evil?
- What does repentance look like beyond just behavior change—when it involves a transformation of the heart?
Suggested Resources
The Pursuit of Holiness, by Jerry Bridges
Counterfeit Gods, by Tim Keller
The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann
Check out these and other books from our suggested reading list at https://bit.ly/AspireSMB.