The city of God has a wall which are “great and high” (Revelation 21:12).
In Proverbs, we’re shown the image of a slothful man whose field is overgrown and whose wall is broken down, open for anything to enter.
Proverbs 24:30–31 (KJV)
I went by the field of the slothful … and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
Proverbs 25:28 (KJV)
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Ruling over your spirit is called temperance, the final fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5. It’s often overlooked, but vital. The Greek word egkrateia means self-control or mastering your desires and passions.
We live in a culture that promotes instant gratification: “YOLO,” “treat yourself,” “self-love,” “I can’t come and kill myself.” But many of these ideas feed a life ruled by emotion and impulse, not the Spirit.
A Spirit-led life doesn’t follow the body’s cravings or the soul’s emotions. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts because everything flows from them. We’re guarding not only what goes in—but what comes out. Jesus said it’s what comes out of a man that defiles him.
If we don’t learn to master our desires, they will master us. We become like that broken-down city: exposed and unfruitful.
In Galatians 5, before listing the fruit of the Spirit, Paul first lists the works of the flesh—many of which are about indulging our desires without restraint.
But this doesn’t mean desires are bad. Psalm 37:4 says: Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. When God becomes your delight, your desires begin to align with His will.
So we must ask honestly:
Is this desire from the Spirit? Does it align with God’s will for me?
And He will answer, because the Shepherd leads His sheep—all who are willing to hear His voice above their own.
Our walls must be great and high. That means self-control, which is saying no to the flesh, yes to the Spirit. And the only way to grow in that is to delight in Jesus. When He is our joy, even our desires come under the rule of His Spirit.
Revelation 21:17 (KJV)
And he measured the wall … a hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
The wall isn’t just high, it has a divine measure: 12 x 12, a symbol of God’s perfect order. It’s measured by the angelos—the message or messenger. The city’s walls reflect the message preached to it and through it. That message is Christ, and He is our standard.
Ephesians 4:13 (KJV)
Till we all come … unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
Our maturity is measured by Christ, who wasn’t ruled by His emotions. In Gethsemane, He said, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” That’s what it looks like to have strong, high walls: submission to the Spirit.
We can’t conquer our flesh by willpower. But if we surrender to the Holy Spirit, He gives us strength to live in holiness. That’s how we become a city—strong, upright, and full of Christ’s stature.
Reflection
Are the walls of your heart strong or broken in different places?
Do your desires lead you, or are they submitted to the Spirit? Delight in Jesus, and your heart will begin to reflect His.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, Help me guard my heart and rule my spirit.
Let Jesus be my delight. Change my desires, and make me a city built by You.
Amen.
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