Does the “city” of our hearts, have “walls”?
Proverbs 25:28 “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
This verse deals with our spirits…..
….we are to reject the will of the unholy spirit,….and yield to the the Holy Spirit within.
In the days of the Old Testament, each city was built with tall walls and gates. That was their protection.
Often houses were built right into the walls, adding stability and strength.
But, any city which did not have walls….was indefensible.
Without walls a city was subject to any and all marauding bands…which could come and loot and kill.
Without the “walls” of separation from the world,…..we are indefensible against it’s influence.
This influence comes in, at times…..like a blanket thrown over our joy…..or like a flood which drowns our light….or simply like thieves which rob us of our peace.
What are our “walls”?
First, let me explain that God has very definitely commanded us, to be separate from the world.
We are to be in the world, but not of it.
Our walk is to be through this world, but…not with it.
2 Corinthians 6:17-18 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
(The Name Lord Almighty means Sovereign….He is in charge of everything. Nothing takes Him by surprise. He has set aside all that is needed for every situation.
This name is important…..for as He called men to be Watchmen on the city walls of old…..so He watches for us…..if we separate ourselves to Him.)
Again, what are our walls?
The Holy Spirit is a wall around us:
John 16:13 “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.”
The Holy Spirit within leads us into truth….so we will be separated from the lies of the devil and the world.
The knowledge of God’s Word is a wall…..
….what it says….the stories that are in it….for it is a guide book in our walk through this life.
The same sort of people that we are….and that we will meet with…are there,….if we will hear what He is saying to us.
(I once heard a young man saying that the Bible was out of date. That the things contained in it….did not relate to this age!
I was a child,…we were at a family gathering….with cousins and aunts and uncles that you usually do not meet often….
…..and my grandmother asked him if he had read it.
He said, no he did not need to….he knew that what Abraham or Moses did….if they did….wasn’t any use to him.
My grandmother, was a firm believer that when God, or His Word was being challenged….you should say something. She loved the Lord, and was….(to my family)…outspoken for Him.
Well, my grandmother said….”he was probably right….the Bible would do him no good….because he was too dull to hear what it said.” (Like I said, she was pretty outspoken).
But then she said, and I will not forget it.
“What God has said, is for every age. Just because we have cars, and telephones, and TV…..does not change our hearts.
We are still lonely, greedy, angry, and discouraged.
Those are the people in the Bible. And though we may not have their names…..or situations, just like them….
…..still the basic message is to us….today.
Jesus Christ came ta save every sinner…..from the first to the last….even you.”
He walked away laughing….but….he stayed away from her all that day.
Later, he joined the Navy, and years later I heard that he had wrote home to his folks to tell grandma that he had gotten saved!)
There is also the wall of Christian fellowship. It should be in a good Bible believing Church…….and is is good to cultivate Christian friends.
They often encourage us and strengthen us….in good conversation and with their prayers for us.
Prayer is a wall.
We are rarely fooled, if we are praying about everything. If we are confessing our sins….and keeping them up-to-date….
….and we are bringing the things of our lives to Him….then we are kept from the traps of the devil…..in peace, even in storms:
Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Each of these “walls” are there to help us to walk through this world, knowing our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20)…..enjoying all that the Lord gives us,….without holding on to all the world would offer us.
These “walls” separate us inside…..we do not keep distance from people as though they are lepers…..
….but we do not “join in” with them, for we belong to Christ Jesus….
We are to rule our own spirit, by rejecting the will of the unholy spirit, and yielding to the Holy Spirit in all our walk, here.
In Jerusalem, the gates were opened up to trade with all who brought goods….and before sunset, these were to go out, and the gates shut. On the Sabbath, the gates were never opened, to trade.
We are to keep a firm grasp on our spirits, yielding to the Holy Spirit,….so that all the influences that we feel from the world….are shut out from entering into our hearts.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 