Self-Discipline and City Walls

TODAY’S BIBLE READING:

Jeremiah 37:1–38:28
1 Timothy 6:1-21
Psalm 89:38-52
Proverbs 25:28

TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Proverbs 25:28 (ESV) “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Our Verse for Today provides a powerful word picture that stands as a serious warning to each of us.

First of all, we have the picture that illustrates the point – “a city broken into and left without walls.”

City walls in those days were massive! They were thick and they were tall. They also had huge gates that were typically opened during the day and closed at night or when there was a threat from an enemy. Those walls kept the enemy out and the citizens inside were protected.

That’s a simply principle, right? The walls kept the bad stuff outside.

Well, we are told in our Verse for Today that … “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” (Proverbs 25:28)

It is easy to see that “self-control” is compared to the city walls. Just as the city walls kept the bad stuff out, so does self-control.

Someone who is self-controlled will have plenty of bad things outside of their body and mind that will pose at temptations. But, self-control will keep those bad things outside the body and mind. The quality of self-control will protect the mind and body by not letting those bad things in, whatever those bad things are.

If we are convinced of the virtue of self-discipline, we may ask the question: “How do I develop self-control?” One of the easiest ways that I can think of is to simply tell yourself “no” when you are tempted to say “yes.” In doing so, you remind your body with its cravings who is actually in charge.

For instance, you may find yourself craving a bowl of ice cream. Maybe it’s not sin because you haven’t been engaged in gluttony. It simply provides you with an opportunity to say “no.” When you tell yourself “no” and then live with your choice even though your body craves the ice cream, you are developing self-control and the ability to say no to other things, especially those things that are bad or sinful.

Don’t be like a city without walls. Protect yourself. Be a person of self-discipline.