Warriors and Walls
January 8, 2019
A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. Proverbs 25:28
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city. Proverbs 16:32
Solomon, the legendary wise king, knew the worth of a warrior. He was the king of a mighty nation and had to protect his cities and people from assault and capture. Warriors and walls were the first lines of defense. Warriors were vital to the kingdom, and heroes to the people. Cities were always fortified with walls to prevent vicious animals from entering and to keep hostile enemies from taking control. Walls were so essential that when Nehemiah heard many years later that the walls around Jerusalem were broken down, he wept. He committed himself to returning to his hometown and rebuilding the walls.
Even a child understood the necessity of warriors and walls. Solomon as king knew even more profoundly. This puts an exclamation point to his proverbs about them.
He said that to lack self-control is to have a fatal weakness. You are like a city with its wall broken down. You have no protection from destruction. You are easy prey to your enemies.
Then he puts things in priority order. A patient man, a man who is slow to anger, achieves a better status than a warrior. He is more valuable. Someone who controls his temper is greater than the hero who captures a city. Both accomplishments are extremely difficult, but controlling your own spirit is the greatest.
Popular culture may idolize the warrior, but what everyone wants and needs, even a king, is someone who can control their own spirit.
- Take a walk around your walls. What is the condition of your walls? Are they strong or broken down? How would the people who know you describe your self-control?
- Are you more warrior or patient man? We need both, but patience is premiere.
- When has your wall broken and allowed an enemy into your life?
- Are there any damaged relationships you need to repair?
- Pray and ask God for His eyes to see yourself as you are, and courage to address any weakness He shows you.