How Overcoming Sin Keeps You Safe

“But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it” Nehemiah 4: 7,8.

This passage is referring to the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem by Nehemiah, after the Babylonian exile. It took place sometime around the second half of the 5th century BC.

This was a literal physical wall, of course. But there are also spiritual lessons to be learned. I believe an intact wall is a metaphor for self-control.

And the enemy it’s meant to keep out is sin. To read the chapter for context, click here.

Proverbs 25:28 tells us “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control”. So, this city whose walls are broken down is a picture of a person who lacks self-control.

In ancient times, walls were built around cities to protect them from foreign invaders. These enemies would then pillage, loot and destroy the city. The wall afforded protection, peace, safety and security.

Self-control is also a characteristic of love. So, if we lack it, it shows we are actually deficient in this most central character quality. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” Galatians 5: 22, 23.

So, by extension, the person who lacks self-control has no protection from the enemy of his soul. And this enemy is sin. “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul” 1 Peter 2:11. 

Be Prepared for Opposition When Overcoming Sin

But when we set our minds to rebuilding that wall, you can bet we will experience trouble and persecution.

Because the devil knows as long as our walls are broken down, and we willingly yield to temptation rather than the Spirit of God, he is free to steal, kill and destroy.

On the other hand, once our wall of self-control is rebuilt, we will be protected from sin and the destructive consequences of it.

Rebuilding Wall Metaphor for Overcoming Sin

Anytime we make a decision to regain control over an area of our life, we will experience opposition and trouble in some form and to some degree.

Whether the issue is eating or spending too much, sexual appetites, an out-of-control temper or other emotions, the result is predictable.

The moment we begin to take a stand, regain control, and start rebuilding our wall, we will be opposed.

But the reason for this is the task we are undertaking will pay great dividends.

Sin will no longer be able to overrun us at will. We will be protected from it and its miserable consequences.

The rewards are great, but the work is hard and the opposition fierce.

Peaceful, Tranquil and Blessed

But a city protected from her enemies by high walls, flanked with faithful watchmen is a peaceful, tranquil, blessed city.

Without an intact wall of self-control, we cannot submit to God and resist sin. Unless we resist sin we will not become mature. And if we don’t mature, we will not experience abundant life and enter into our promise land.

Not only will we not enter our promise land, but we’ll be plagued by turmoil, frustration, unmet needs, pain and misery.

Christ delivers us of the consequences of sin inasmuch as He delivers us of its power. But if by our faith we are not delivered from the power of sin, we will not be delivered of its consequences either.

Romans 3:16-18 speaks poignantly of the person who is under the power of sin.  “. . . Ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes”.

Safety In Seeing Our Sin the Way God Does

Having said that, it’s really our heart that protects us. If we are genuinely engaging the battle in overcoming our sin, however feebly, there is mercy. And if we continue to see it the way God does, there is lovingkindness.

1 John 1:9 tells us that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.

This word confess means to “speak the same thing as, to assent or agree with”.

It’s when we give up the fight and start to excuse, justify and rationalize our sin that we get into trouble. And the truth is, the longer we continue in sin, the harder it becomes to agree with God about it.

You may be thinking, “well, that’s all well and good, but how do you get self-control?” Without question, you need to be motivated.

Even so, it will be the hardest (and most rewarding) thing you will ever do. You may be encouraged by Beauty for Ashes: A Divine Exchange.

To read another post with similar ideas to How Overcoming Sin Keeps you Safe, see How is the Parable of the Sower Relevant Today?

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