Don't be Defenseless

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Proverbs 25:28

This was a verse I use to teach my oldest when he was a child. He had a short fuse. Someone that is quick to anger, and even more importantly, quick to act on that anger, is an easy target. I used this verse to try to teach him how important control of his anger was.

Recently, as I was pondering another person I love, I realized this verse does not just pertain to anger. It’s everything. If you have no control over your anger, your emotions, your actions, your desires…. you are a target. You are opening the door wide open for the enemy and his plans. Like a city without a wall, you are defenseless.

I was thinking of this person who has a heart of gold. He loves fiercely and protectively and is consumed with caring for those he loves. Yet, he sometimes has trouble with commitments, with staying on the straight and narrow. How can someone with such amazing love struggle with such basic things such as being reliable, keeping his commitments. How can someone who professes salvation, and I believe it to be a true confession, still struggle with church commitment and staying on the straight and narrow. In short, how can someone with such good intentions still get it wrong so much of the time?

Because he has no rule over his own spirit. We have all known people like that. People that are amazing and gifted in so many ways, but still struggle with so many things. They live too much in the flesh. They lack self-discipline. They are a city without walls.

Recently, I let my emotions get the best of me. In that five minutes that I was acting ungodly and out of control, unnecessary anger was caused, feelings were hurt, and people were humiliated. That five minutes will not be an easy fix and it was not worth the cost.

We are human. We will get in the flesh sometimes; we will “get in our feelings” But we have to remember the cost of that. It makes us defenseless. It opens the door and invites the enemy in. This hurts us, those who love us, and our witness.

Pray daily to be what He wants you to be. Pray to have that self-control. Be wise and recognize areas that you are weak in and pray extra hard for those areas. For me, it’s my emotions. I have resolved to find verses to go along with the one at the beginning of this post to pray over my life and to stick in strategic places to help me remember. I have index cards with Bible verses on them all over my house. I need reminders and this is how I do it. You do what works for you. Just do something! Do not be defenseless.

Ephesians 6:11-18 King James Version (KJV) 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints

Recognize that everything is spiritual warfare and whatever areas you lack in self-control in is part of the enemy’s strategy. Do what is necessary to overcome that. Realize that you have all you need to fight any battle you need to fight through prayer. Stand on the word and put on the armor of God.