city walls

The newest music video from twenty one pilots, City Walls, is the cumulative ending to a ten year narrative they’ve woven throughout their videos. This video is a beautiful, bittersweet depiction of what spiritual warfare feels like, of what’s going on beneath the surface.

Just when the power of darkness (represented by the head red-coated bishop, Nico) thinks he’s won the fight for Clancy’s soul, the light (represented by the head torch-bearer dressed in green and yellow) will always shine through given Clancy’s intentions to follow the light.

The main character Clancy (aka Tyler, the band’s singer) temporarily fails again, but at the end, the lead torch-bearer (aka Josh, the drummer) says … “that’s not Clancy anymore, he’s out there somewhere. And we will try again… always.”

Clancy’s heart (or intentions) is not aligned with the darkness, represented by the red coat, it is with the torch bearer. Clancy is only himself when he is following the torch bearer’s light.

When we have given our heart to the Lord, he will not give up on us. We will fail every day, but God.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm‬ ‭91‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Consider how precious a soul must be, when both God and the devil are after it.” - Charles Spurgeon

“Your real, new self will not come as long as you are looking for it. It will come when you are looking at Him.” - CS Lewis

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬