A MAN WHO LACKS SELF-CONTROL

Proverbs 25:28
"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control."

The city in this verse has walls that are in horrible disrepair. When I read it, I first thought that this was a city under siege that had their walls breached by an enemy. But, the more I thought about it, the more I pondered the complete verse, I believe this is a city that over time has allowed their walls to decay and eventually collapse. In allowing this to happen, the city has placed itself in a position where it is virtually defenseless. They have also subjected themselves to a position of ridicule and disgrace. Why is that? It is because they did not properly maintain their defenses. After all, the city wall is their first line of defense, their protection and now they are vulnerable!

The question now is, how does this compare to a man who has no self-control. Well, what do we know about keeping oneself under control? The first thought I had was that it keeps you from doing stupid things. We have all known someone who lacks self-control. They drive too fast, they take dangerous chances, and they place themselves in positions where they are a danger to themselves and others. They let this take place because they never told themselves “no”. And because of this, they have placed themselves in a place of vulnerability. The difference is that the danger they face is not external, it is internal and it is just as dangerous!

Those of us that have listened to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and accepted Christ as our Savior have an advantage over the man in this verse. We have the Holy Spirit actively dwelling in us giving direction in our lives. I, for one, am thankful for the Spirit’s presence in my life and for the direction He gives me in my daily walk.