We remember that Jesus Christ and his finished work is the foundation of which our walls are built. Let us tear down the walls of self-sufficiency and self-indulgence. To the wind with the idiom, “boys will be boys.” We are called to be men and true manhood must be cultivated and fought for, to the glory of God! Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls. Proverbs 25:28
It’s a sad thing to see pictures and hear stories of a city in shambles due to a lack of order, but it is more devastating to see and/or be a man in shambles. A good wall keeps danger out and protects the things we treasure most, so we must be about the business of mending all breaches. Our hearts were given to us by God, and made to treasure him above all else, so we must protect them at all costs for our own sake, the good of our neighbors, and the glory of God. A man without self-control is a menace to himself and others because his passions are on the throne that belongs to only one King, namely Jesus. When I survey my own heart and look around at the men in the church I see certain areas (not an exhaustive list) that need mending: unchecked anger, sexual lust, and gluttony.
Unchecked Anger
Anger is not always bad. We are to have righteous anger over the things that anger God. Paul said, “‘Be angry, and do not sin:’ do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:26-27 NKJV). Though there is such a thing as righteous anger, ours is always tinged with sin. Sinful anger is motivated by selfish desires and Satan wants us to “give full vent.” When my children disobey my instructions, I should be angry that they’ve sinned against God. Yet my heart reveals my anger simply because they’ve made me look bad in front of others. If I have a vertical view of their sin, and my own, then I am more prepared to act with self control instead of exploding in anger.
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