Daily Devotional: Breaking Through
- David A. Case
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
By David A. Case
Life Sayings:
The spirit realm is a multiplier.
God doesn’t go where I don’t go.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” —Proverbs 16:32
There is a war raging over your body, your mind, and your emotions. You may not see it with your eyes, but you feel it every time you’re tempted to lash out, give up, isolate, or speak words that don’t align with who God created you to be. This war is spiritual—and victory starts with ruling your own spirit.
To rule over self is one of the greatest battles we face. That’s why Scripture says it’s greater than taking a city. And it’s why the spoken word is such a powerful tool. When I speak God's truth aloud over my life, I set the direction of my heart and resist the pull of selfishness. The rudder of the ship, James says, is the tongue. My words shape my will.
There’s power in declaring truth: “I am a child of God.” “I have been given authority over sin.” “I am created to be a dwelling place for His Spirit.”
But it’s not just about saying the right words. It’s about saying them in the right spirit. Without humility, even good words can become religious pride. Even Cain brought an offering—but not the one God asked for. When I give God my leftovers or try to impress Him on my terms, He does not receive it. That pride activates the demonic, and suddenly, I’m striving in my own strength, disconnected from the help I desperately need.
The spiritual atmosphere matters. Demons and angels are drawn to what flows out of me. If I speak bitterness, lust, or anger, I empower spiritual forces aligned with those things. If I walk in humility, repentance, and praise, I activate heaven’s help. What flows through me multiplies in the atmosphere around me—and begins to rule in me.
Most of us don’t consciously choose to activate the sin nature. It “just happens.” A trigger hits. A pattern emerges. And before we know it, sin takes over. That’s the power of instinctive response—the law of sin and death. Without a specific, intentional, God-empowered effort to rule over self, we’ll default to selfishness every time.
But here’s the hope: God doesn’t require perfection. He asks that I “will to do His will” (John 7:17). That I want what He wants—and that I invite His help to follow through. When I do, His Spirit meets me. The angels minister to me. Heaven invades earth—starting with my own body.
Self-effort will wear you out. Eventually, you’ll either lower your standard of “goodness” or burn out trying to maintain it. But humility brings power. It opens the door for God’s presence to come in and take over. And that’s how you win the battle—by letting Him fight it in and through you.
Reflection Question
Are you operating more from self-effort or from a place of surrendered dependence on God's help?
Prayer
Lord, I confess that I can’t rule over myself without You. I’ve tried. I’ve failed. I’ve grown tired. But today I come in humility. I give You the best part of my heart—not just what’s easy, but what I’ve held back. Teach me to speak truth in Your Spirit, not in pride. Let my life activate heaven, not hell. Help me to will Your will. Amen.
Today’s Step of Obedience
Choose one truth from Scripture that aligns with what God says about who you are—write it down and speak it aloud three times today. Be aware of the spirit in which you speak it: choose humility, not striving. Ask God to empower your words with His Spirit.
This devotional was inspired by the book Heart Change Handbook by David A. Case. If you found it helpful, please consider it for your own self-study and suggest it to your church small group or recovery community as a basis for small group study.
If this message has encouraged you to pursue deeper transformation, I invite you to continue the journey through The Heart Change Handbook. It provides a practical, biblical path for spiritual growth and is an excellent resource for church small groups and recovery communities. Consider getting your copy today and introducing it to your group as a guide toward meaningful heart change.
👉 Learn more about Small Group Resources from Heart Change U.