Fighting the War No One Sees

Twenty One Pilots

If you know me personally, you know that I’ve developed a strong love for Twenty One Pilots over the last five years. I know their music isn’t for everyone, but it is most definitely for me. So much so that I once camped out with friends from 5am to 7pm just to be close to the stage at one of their concerts. Crazy, I know—but worth it.

It’s more than the melody that captures me—it’s the truth buried in the words. Their music resonates deeply with me because it speaks so honestly about the kind of internal battles I’ve experienced. One song in particular, “Migraine,” captures the struggle of fighting invisible battles—ones that take place behind our smiles, in the quiet of our minds.

“Am I the only one I know / Waging my wars behind my face and above my throat?” — Twenty One Pilots, “Migraine”

That line hits me hard. And it makes me think my own battle—one that many Christians face in silence: the battle against pornography.

The Inner War

Pornography addiction is a war waged in the shadows. It’s hidden, isolating, and spiritual at its core. It’s often treated as a behavior problem, but the real battlefield is the mind. That’s where the fight begins.

Our Heavenly Father understands this internal warfare, as we see through Paul’s inspired words in 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 (NKJV):

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

Paul isn’t talking about an external enemy here. He’s talking about the mental, emotional, and spiritual strongholds that set themselves up against truth. The arguments. The lies. The thought patterns. The shame.

Sound familiar?

Every Thought Captive

Addiction, especially to pornography, thrives on three things: accessibility, anonymity, and affordability. You can access it anytime and hide it from everyone at no cost. It’s a vicious cycle, and Satan is a master at using it to derail God’s people.

But Scripture gives us a better strategy. Paul tells us to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” This isn’t about suppressing temptation by sheer willpower. It’s about retraining your mind to believe what’s true—even when it doesn’t feel true.

You fight lies with truth.
You fight shame with grace.
You fight secrecy with confession.
You fight addiction with connection.

Here’s how that might look:

• Be honest. Shine light into the darkness by telling someone you trust. It’s hard—but it’s holy ground.

• Know God’s Word. Use scripture like a sword. Remind yourself who you are and whose you are.

• Put up boundaries. Set limits on your devices. Get accountability software. Don’t fight with your guard down. If it comes down to it, get rid of your phone.

• Lean into community. You need people. Isolation is the enemy’s playground.

You Are Not Alone

“Am I the only one I know / Waging my wars behind my face and above my throat?” The answer is no.

At Timshel Ministries, we believe that hope and healing are possible. We don’t pretend the fight is easy—but we believe God gives us the strength to face it head-on. You don’t have to fight in silence. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be willing to take one step toward the light.

So if you’re stuck in a cycle of pornography, know this:
There is a way out.
There is hope.
There is victory—not because you’re strong, but because He is.

Let’s take those thoughts captive.

Let’s tear down the strongholds.

Let’s win the war no one sees.