A person without self-control
is like a breached city, one with no walls.
Reflection
What a great image the writer of this wisdom saying paints for us! The life of a person without self control lies in ruins. Imagine living during the time when Jerusalem was under attack by enemy armies. The people sought safety and protection behind the strong, fortified walls
built by King Solomon. Those same walls would later be breached and destroyed by the invading Babylonian army, leaving the people defenseless, captured and enslaved. That is the reality of a person without self control, they find themselves defenseless in the face of attack, captive to their emotions and enslaved by their desires. Self control is our ability to say “No” to what isn’t good for us or others, when we’d rather follow our emotions and desires. It’s our
ability to put on the brakes, take a moment to pause, and even walk away from a situation, whether it’s not yelling back at someone who’s yelling at us about politics or walking away from that cookie we really don’t need.
Self control gives us the ability to say “No” to ourselves, “No” to others and “No” to situations that could otherwise leave us defeated. How do we practice self control when the whole world is seemingly out of control? Practicing self control is not something we master all on our own. The Apostle Paul tells us that self control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The power of God’s Spirit dwells within us strengthening our faith, growing our patience and giving us
wisdom and discernment to see what’s really happening in a situation, rather than exploding in anger at someone or stress eating our way through a box of cookies. (Don’t tell me you haven’t experienced something similar too!) The power of the Holy Spirit is a protective wall around us that strengthens us and helps us to resist sin, so we can grow to be more like Jesus, to be kind, compassionate and discerning. Self control is an act of love that we extend
towards ourselves and others. Practicing self control is a defining quality of a follower of Jesus, proof of the Spirit at work in our hearts, so that we can extend God’s grace and love to ourselves and others.
by Jeneene Reduker
For Pondering and Prayer
It feels like our self control is tested countless times every day. When I feel like I’m losing my self control that’s my signal that I need to spend time with God and listen to the wisdom of the Spirit. Practicing self control is counter cultural, especially when everyone else seems to be out of control. The season we’re in is challenging so reading devotions, doing Bible study, praying, going to church, taking communion, talking with and offering support to others in our faith community, all these spiritual practices help us to grow in grace.
In this season, we need to rely on God’s Spirit and our spiritual practices. Are you growing in self control, or feeling a little out of control? Do you see self control as an act of love and grace we extend towards ourself and others?
Prayer: Holy and loving God, help us to listen to your Spirit, so that we may grow in self control. Protect us with the strong walls of your Spirit, so that we can extend your love and grace to ourselves and others. Amen.
