Walls

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

These days when we talk about walls or no walls, it usually has to do with emotional walls that people use to keep other people at arm's length and to protect themselves. The basic function of walled cities is the same.

Walls around cities for defense go back as far as the 8th millennium B.C., Some historians believe even back to the 10th millennium B.C. Cities that had no walls had no hope of holding off an enemy attack. Walls were effective only as long as they were not broken down or breached by the invaders. 

One of the most well-known was the impenetrable wall of Jericho, about 12 feet high and almost 6 feet thick. There was no way for the Israelites to get in, but God! And it was accomplished by obedience and high praise (both are spiritual disciplines). Man did not bring down the wall - it was a miraculous victory credited only to the power of God. 

And so our lives are a miraculous victory over sin credited only to the power of God! Galatians 5:22-23 tells of the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit evidenced in our lives of which self-control is one. When we walk in the fruit of the Spirit, we are strengthened and fortified to overcome the enemy. 

Prayer:

Father,

         Thank You for being our Protector and Provider, our Healer and our Peace. Thank You for loving us so much to give us the means and the power to overcome all the fiery darts of the wicked. Remind us to daily walk completely full in the fruit of the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In Jesus' Name we pray.

Amen