Without Walls

by Terry Wane Benton

A city or country without walls is vulnerable to destruction. Jerusalem was an easy target for invaders until the walls were built. Walls protected the city. It was foolish to rebuild the city in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah and not have the walls in place to protect the city. See Ezra and Nehemiah. The wisdom of Solomon declared: "Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls" (Proverbs 25:28 NKJV).

His point is that we must rule our spirits to keep things out and protect the good things within our hearts. Controlling the flow of what comes in and what goes out is wisdom—it is common sense. Failing to rule the spirit is as foolish as a city that does not protect the flow of people into it. Eventually, the wrong people will come in and destroy the city.

To improve our personal lives, we must build good principles and values within us and then build walls to protect those values. We cannot allow evil people to rob us of our values. For 2025, let us build within such valuables as faith, hope, love, kindness, joy, peace, faithfulness, loyalty, dedication, contentment, purity, holiness, and godliness. Be rich toward God. Protect the values within. Rule your own spirit.

Do not let the lust of the eye and lust of the flesh break through your protective walls and take your values away. Fill your heart and storehouse with good things, and keep out the corruption. Do not be foolish and be like a city without walls. Grace and peace rule within!