“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” – Proverbs 25:28

In this context, self control is the ability to have control over all aspects of your life. If you have the ability to control your speech, your actions, your desires and your thoughts, you have self control.

In the past, cities were fortified with strong walls to resist enemy attacks and invasion. Cities that had no walls or had their walls broken down were prone to attacks because they seemed vulnerable. Jericho, Jerusalem and China were all fortified with impenetrable walls to ward off enemies.

The Bible likens a person who lacks self control to a city with broken down walls. A city with broken down walls stands without protection and is an open invitation to enemy attacks and invasion. They say a man who stands for nothing falls for everything and I genuinely believe it connotes this : a man who has no self control falls for everything.

Joseph exercised self control, and even though he was wrongfully convicted, we never read that God left him. Unlike Samson, whose lack of self control warded off the Spirit of God in his life. “Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had left him.” – Judges 16:20

Jesus gives us the perfect example of how to exercise self control in the face of temptation. When the devil tempted him in the wilderness, he refused to succumb. Instead drawing him off with the word of God. (Matthew 4:1-11) It is important that we adopt this posture at all times in our quest to exercise self – control.

Provers 25:28
Matthew 4:1-11
Judges 16:20