Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
-Proverbs 25:28
What exactly are the consequences faced by a city whose walls are broken down? The answer is vital to understanding the pitfalls of a life that lacks self-control. In OT times, the walls were the most important feature of a city or town. Without the fortification provided by walls, a city was defenseless. The walls were the primary means by which a people maintained possession and control of a city. They were the chief defense system against enemy attacks. In fact, King David’s initial objective upon seizing the city of Jerusalem was to construct a surrounding wall (2 Sam 5:9).
Therefore, a city whose walls are broken down was a city ready to be captured, a city left undefended, and a city whose people were primed to be enslaved. Likewise, a man who lacks self-control is defenseless and ready to be mastered by whatever attack may come his way. One man phrased the coming assaults in this way: “such things as selfishness, lack of discipline, procrastination, immorality, no time for God, compromise, and rebellion”. The defenseless man becomes enslaved to these things.
It is for this reason that the building up of self-control is imperative in a man or woman who desires to follow after Christ and daily live in the freedom that He offers. To be free from the enslavement of things contrary to God requires this discipline. The apostle Paul likewise expounds upon the importance of self-control as he describes the criteria of character that God desires from His church elders in the book of Titus. It becomes necessary for these leaders to possess self-control in order to represent the church of God the way He intended.
As we follow men who follow God, we must follow their example of self-control. For us to live a life chasing wholly after Christ, we must uphold the city walls that defend us from our common enemy’s attacks. We must sustain our self-control.
-Proverbs 25:28
What exactly are the consequences faced by a city whose walls are broken down? The answer is vital to understanding the pitfalls of a life that lacks self-control. In OT times, the walls were the most important feature of a city or town. Without the fortification provided by walls, a city was defenseless. The walls were the primary means by which a people maintained possession and control of a city. They were the chief defense system against enemy attacks. In fact, King David’s initial objective upon seizing the city of Jerusalem was to construct a surrounding wall (2 Sam 5:9).
Therefore, a city whose walls are broken down was a city ready to be captured, a city left undefended, and a city whose people were primed to be enslaved. Likewise, a man who lacks self-control is defenseless and ready to be mastered by whatever attack may come his way. One man phrased the coming assaults in this way: “such things as selfishness, lack of discipline, procrastination, immorality, no time for God, compromise, and rebellion”. The defenseless man becomes enslaved to these things.
It is for this reason that the building up of self-control is imperative in a man or woman who desires to follow after Christ and daily live in the freedom that He offers. To be free from the enslavement of things contrary to God requires this discipline. The apostle Paul likewise expounds upon the importance of self-control as he describes the criteria of character that God desires from His church elders in the book of Titus. It becomes necessary for these leaders to possess self-control in order to represent the church of God the way He intended.
As we follow men who follow God, we must follow their example of self-control. For us to live a life chasing wholly after Christ, we must uphold the city walls that defend us from our common enemy’s attacks. We must sustain our self-control.
Steven Villacin, College Intern
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