A person without self-control
is like a city with broken-down walls. (NLT)
I'm not sure reading a proverb contextually really does much, and I've tried to contemplate this verse to figure out the imagery ... but ... I'm lost.
Tell me what you think!!
4 comments:
I take it to mean that without self control, you are susceptible to being taken over by outside, dangerous or negative forces. Yes, context would help. Cities in the ancient world had walls around them to defend against outside invaders. The one who lacks a sense of self control leaves themselves open to be controlled by something else... addiction, debauchery, unhealthy living, etc.
Chris is right. It is about being vulnerable to outside forces. Probably infers temptations will be able to enter into your life and over-throw the order.
I absolutely agree with both of the above comments. Yes, city walls in ancient times were meant to protect against negative invaders, and to protect against bad things. So yes, we need walls (self-control) to serve as a moderating agent, making sure the bad stuff doesn't get in.
However, the first thing that I thought of was that in a city without walls...EVERYTHING is free to pass in and out. It's not only the bad stuff getting in, but it's also the bad stuff STAYING in, and... the good stuff getting out. Without borders and limits, everything is free to pass through at it's own control, rather than at the control of those inside the city (aka YOU).
Here's another idea. Our salvation in Christ is a permanent thing. From the moment we truly acknowledge truth and let Him into our lives, we are His. No matter how well or poorly we may be doing in our relationship with Him. Saved. Thus, sinning and doing things that God doesn't want us to do - these are all permissible because God will not take back his salvation. I know, it's a weird idea, but bear with me here. Though everything is permissible for us (because we are saved!), not everything is beneficial. God gave us the Bible - the "city walls" of guidance - to use as a blueprint for understanding and setting up limits and goals. Whether this is a "thou shalt not kill" wall that is a 'do not pass' kind of wall close to where you're standing, or whether its a wall that is 1009320395 miles away from you that you'll spend your whole life walking towards but never quite arrive to that says "love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul" .
We must choose to choose self control, recognizing that though we have freedom in Christ, God clearly shows us some benchmarks (or creates "city walls") for things he doesn't want getting into our lives, and also makes walls so far away from the center of 'our city' that we also see that getting to those walls will take diligence and self control. Self control to protect, self control to voyage without cease.
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