3 Minute Read + Scripture readings
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 (CSB): “A person who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down.”
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 whose wall is broken down.”
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, look again at the Verse for Today:
Proverbs 25:28 (CSB): “A person who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down.”
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 has self-control may experience a situation where they feel attacked. Maybe someone treats them unfairly. Maybe a horribly unkind word is thrown at them like a flaming arrow. It’s an all-out attack! But, the self-controlled person will not allow all of the forces of their emotions to race out of their mouth. They will keep the enemy outside while keeping their forces at bay.
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 periodically deny yourself something that you desire. Over time, your self-discipline will develop and grow.
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. So it 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.
Matt’s Musings 