A severe storm recently swept through our part of town bringing with it strong winds that pummeled the area with a remarkable torrent of rain. While the meteorological onslaught didn’t last long, it made up for its brevity with an impressive atmospheric light and sound show. When the skies finally cleared, a quick inspection of our property revealed a large pine tree resting across our backyard fence. Clif and I worked together to remove the tree trunk and do our best to repair the fence, if nothing to ensure that our pets would continue to be kept inside the confines of our yard, safe from any number of dangers (cars, snakes, coyotes, etc) often lurking just outside our chain link perimeter.
City walls in the time of the Old Testament and fences today aren’t wholly alike, but one similarity is that they both function as a type of security. But back a couple thousand years ago, a gap in the wall of a city was much more alarming because it opened everyone up to attack and destruction from invading armies or bands of thieves. Thus, it was paramount for a city to carefully monitor the state of it’s walls, knowing them to be the primary means for keeping themselves secure.
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a person who lacks self-control. – Proverbs 25:28
The writer of Proverbs reminds us that self-control is akin to the walls of a city. Someone who lacks this fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) is often defenseless before their enemies in this world. Scripture says… resist the devil, (James 4:7), flee temptation (2 Tim. 2:22), stand firm against the evil one (1 Cor. 16:13; Eph. 6:1-13), throw off the sin that so easily entangles (Heb. 12:1), but if we have no mastery over our desires, we can’t effectively do any of those things. When we head off after whatever we want, respond in whatever way we feel, entertain whatever thought comes in our head, our “city” can be quickly overrun in a moment.
So think about it… Has a storm swept through and exposed some gaps in your “wall” caused a lack of self-control? Maybe your walls aren’t completely down yet, but is there visible damage? Here are four positive actions to help you begin repairs.
- BEWARE OF EROSION… -So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall – 1 Corinthians 10:12
Sometimes damage happens swiftly and is easily identified, but much less notable are fissures caused by consistent neglect. Erosion is a slow process, but often the most destructive. Always keep in mind that just because you are strong now doesn’t mean you will always be. That’s why you need to take regular and honest inventory of your life. Be alert and inspect diligently to reveal areas that were once fortified, but may now need mending. Open yourself up to God and ask him to show you danger spots.
- BE AWARE OF WEAKNESSES– Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. ~ Matthew 26:41
Once you develop a weakness, you need to constantly police that area. During an attack the location of a breach will almost always be flimsy. You can fill and patch it up, but it simply isn’t ever as strong as the original structure That’s why it’s so crucial to be extra vigilant in those areas. It’s wise to stake an extra guard or two there just to be safe.
- BE CAREFUL OF EXPOSURE. – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind ~ Romans 12:2
Self-control is not about will-power – it is about Truth. When we allow our minds to dwell on things that aren’t consistent with God’s Word, it’s like pouring a corrosive on the wall or setting it on fire. Remember, It’s not always the attacks from the outside that are doing damage, but rather an assault from within. Monitor what you think about. What are you dwelling on when you’re driving down the highway, cooking dinner or allowing yourself to be idle. What thoughts do you feed via your phone, computer or television screen. Imaginary arguments, desires, and fantasies are internally destructive and will lead you away from the will of God.
- CALL IN AN EXPERT – For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. ~ 1 Timothy 1:7
Successful self-control is not really self-control at all. If you try to do it alone, you will fail. You don’t have enough power, inner strength or know-how to exercise self-control all the times you need it. Oh, you might be able to muster it up for a while or enough to get by in one particular area, but not for long. If you want to permanently fix the holes, then you have to call in an expert! Fortunately, every believer has THE expert on-site, in-house, and ready to do the necessary repairs. The Holy Spirit is present every day to do for you what you can’t do yourself.
Godliness takes discipline, hard work, self-denial, and a lot of spiritual exercise – but ultimately, fencing in our raging desires and developing the virtue of self-control can only be accomplished by submission of our lives to Jesus Christ and willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to do His transforming work.
Spoke volumes to me Karen. 1 Corinthians 10:12 was timely. Where would we be if its not for the grace of God. Our weaknesses are a great reminder that we are all by-product of the Grace of God. Thanks for this great post.
Karen, I needed that! : )
Glad your have been encouraged, Suzanne!
So true how self control isn’t about self doing the comtrol at all- it takes the Holy Spirit. Great post:) Love the reminders!
We are so prone to take God’s commands and just run with them on our own, never realizing that God doesn’t send us on a mission but invites us to go with Him where He is already going. If we do it alone, we will always end up frustrated and defeated. Thanks Gretchen
Karen,
This was such a timely post for me to read. There were so many things you said that resonated and I found myself nodding my head in agreement. One thing that I have been reminded of lately is how easy it is to let our guard down if we have not had to battle for something, like when there is a lull of activity… like in between the resting and the working time… and it is easy to lose sight of what is really going on. We get surprised by life, or a trial, or a difficulty and wonder what went wrong. It is necessary to always be aware and mindful and careful and diligent. Great reminders here, thanks!
Blessings,
Dawn
it’s so easy to get off track and not realize what happened. Paying attention to the little things, even when we are in those lulls of life, will help us not make those mistakes so often. thanks for your thoughtful comments.
Thank you for this perspective into how “walls” protect our lives and what we need to do to protect those walls. I’m so glad you shared with us at Encouraging Word Wednesday this week!
Thank you, thank you, Karen, for sharing this reflection and these verses. As someone with an anxiety disorder, I sit in my therapist’s office twice a month to discuss my ability (or lack thereof) to control my obsessive, negative thoughts. You reminded me that my efforts at cognitive self-control are always blessed by the Lord. I will certainly be returning to this reflection when I need help keepin’ on keepin’ on.
I’m going to have to come back and read this one again when my mind is clearer. So many good points here. Thank you for sharing.
Amen. This is a beautiful and strong post. God’s Word is so filled with the hope that He is.
Thank you.
“Be careful of exposure.” I like that point the most. Dwelling on truth and not exposing our self to harmful things. Thanks for the analogy of us building a wall to keep us safe inside.
Karen,
Thanks for sharing wise insights from the Bible…and I’m glad you pointed us to the source in God…only the Holy Spirit can give enable us to stay vigilent…blessings to you 🙂
Self-control is always an overflow of the Spirit of God and as we yield to Him, our desires are less about us, and more about Him. Thanks Dolly
Karen, I usually like to highlight something in a blog post that spoke to me in the comments, but in this case, I would have to highlight the whole blog post!! Excellent! Excellent! I had forgotten about the Proverbs that connects self-control with a wall.
So many great insights and encouragements to ensure our spiritual wall is secure.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for the encouragement, Karen. We all need to do regular maintenance, don’t we? Thanks for stopping by
so many things we/I can do to keep the damage at bay – thanks for all these great reminders! sue
And thanks for dropping by to read and comment. Knowing what to do is the first step. Application is what makes all the difference!