Proverbs 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Context: Proverbs 25:26-27 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. 27It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.
From the Lexicon: No rule=no restraint, control. Spirit=breath, strength, temper. City=town. Broken=breached.
In other words: He who does not have self-control over his strength and his temper, is like a city whose walls have been broken down and is defenseless.
Pulling it together: Proverbs 25:28 reminds us how important for us as individuals to keep self-control. To fail to do so is to leave ourselves open to attack from our enemy. Galatians 5:22-23 lists self-control as part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. However, if we attempt to maintain this quality ourselves we fail for we are weak in our flesh.
Proverbs 25:26 warns us about giving way or wavering before evil comparing this to becoming a muddy spring, compromising our testimony. Proverbs 25:28 warns against excess of any good thing. But as we yield ourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit, He works in us to accomplish what we cannot do on our own. 2 Timothy 1:7 states this: for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Lord, I pray: grant me grace through the power of Thy Spirit to have self-control over my words, actions, deeds, wants, and desires so I am not open to attack to do wrong.