By Pamela Rose Williams
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. (Proverbs 25:28)
Self-control? Yep, I think that is what this proverb is speaking of. You know how it is; you see someone who is just out of control. No schedule, no plan, no filter on his/her mouth, quick to raise his/her voice, cannot be reasoned with, hard to approach because you never want to be the one that he/she unloads upon. Do you see the comparison? Nothing can keep the contempt in … just like a city without walls.
Back in Biblical times cities without walls were easily attacked by the enemy. There was no way to control who came and who went. There was no way to keep the people safe. It was a city that was easily destroyed.
The man (or woman) who relies upon the Holy Spirit to rule their life will have the self-control (KJV calls it temperance) that is needed to keep them safe and secure. It is part of that fruit that grows as we yield our life to walk in the Spirit.
Are you relying upon the Holy Spirit to help you keep control? Perhaps there is other fruit that your life lacks because you are not listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. When we do this, we are quenching the Spirit (like water quenches a fire). When we are walking in the Spirit (rather than the flesh) we will not be out of control and we will exhibit things like love, joy, peace, patience (longsuffering) and more.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Things to Think About and Do
1. Can you think of a Biblical story that talks about walls in the old cities? Jot down the reference here.
2. Lack of self-control is one of the things that happens when we are walking in the flesh, what are some other things that we do when we choose to “quench” the Holy Spirit?
3. What is a good thing to do daily to help avoid the deeds of the flesh and strengthen our walk with the Lord?
