Defending Walls

"A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls" (Prov. 25:28).

In the ancient world walls were the best defense against invasion.  If a city planned wisely and their walls were strong, they could hold off an enemy indefinitely.  However, once the wall was breached the outcome was determined by those who had greater strength, better weapons, and more skill.  Without a wall, a city was wide open to attack.  There was nowhere to run to and nowhere to hide.

Thus, the analogy is drawn.  A man without self-control is defenseless.  He is wide open for attack.  People that lack self-control are easily manipulated.  They are like lambs to the slaughter.

The Scripture uses various images for the forces of darkness--lions, wolves, locusts, hordes, etc.  Each image is meant to flesh out the dangers posed by demonic forces.  These forces pose a real threat to our lives.  They hunt.  They seek to devour.

If we are not able to keep watch, they will maul us with their malevolence. Catching us off guard, they will pounce.  Solomon's warning strikes home.  Without self-control we are defenseless against them.  There is nothing we can do.


Self-control is not a natural reality.  Although, some individuals are able to control themselves to a much higher degree than others, none of us is always in complete control.  Paul tells us that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit.  Which means that genuine self-control is a supernatural reality.  God must work it in us.


The good news is that through Christ Jesus, we are indwelt by the Spirit and self-control is part of our new nature.  A believer may grieve the Spirit during the process of growing in self-control, or he may quench the Spirit, but if the Spirit is present self-control will follow.  By the Spirit's power, we should begin to see more and more of our attitudes, thoughts, and actions coming under the Spirit's sanctifying presence.


If you are overcome by anger, or given to laziness, or prone to exaggeration, etc., then you need to realize your defenses are down.  The enemy is on the march.  He is rapidly approaching, if he hasn't already set siege to your life.  By the grace of God, erect the walls of self-control around your life, and find in him your hiding place.