The Traitor Within

From Daily Readings by Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

April 27, 2026 · 3 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the internal struggle with sin and temptation, likening it to a traitor within that undermines our true selves.

However strong a castle may be, if a treacherous party resides inside (ready to betray at the first opportunity possible), the castle cannot be kept safe from the enemy. Traitors occupy our own hearts, ready to side with every temptation and to surrender to them all. (John Owen, Sin and Temptation ) Ever since that fateful day when Adam gave away the essence of his strength, men have struggled with a part of themselves that is ready at the drop of a hat to do the same. We don’t want to speak up unless we know it will go well, and we don’t want to move unless we’re guaranteed success. What the Scriptures call the flesh, the old man, or the sinful nature, is that part of fallen Adam in every man that always wants the easiest way out. It’s much easier to go down to the driving range and attack a bucket of balls than it is to face the people at work who are angry at you. It’s much easier to clean the garage, organize your files, or cut the grass than it is to talk to your teenage daughter. To put it bluntly, your flesh is a poser. And your flesh is not you . Did you know that? Your flesh is not the real you. When Paul gives us his famous passage on what it’s like to struggle with sin…

People in this episode

Host: John Eldredge

Topics covered

struggle with sin
human nature
temptation
Christianity
self-awareness

Keywords

sin
temptation
flesh
Christianity
self
struggle
identity

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Romans 7