Yesterday we looked at the importance of walls in the days when the Bible was written, and throughout most of history. Only a fool would actively tear down such a vital means of protection for his family. Yet we read that “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” (Proverbs 25:28, ESV) Conditioning our mind is indispensable if we hope to avoid destruction.
But there is another aspect of this wall illustration. At the same time in history it could be that your enemy would attack you then quickly retreat back to his own fortification. There he would laugh at justice, safe behind his own wall.
At this point the expert would be called for someone like Old Caleb who knows about walls. Caleb divides the young men into three groups. The archers keep the enemy off the wall at a place of Caleb’s choosing. The archers are protecting the diggers. The diggers tunnel under this section of wall. The third group procure wood. First, heavy beams for the diggers. These beams hold up the wall as its foundation is removed. Caleb doesn’t want the wall to fall. Not yet. Only when Caleb determines that the tunnel is deep enough and wide enough does he halt the diggers and direct the woodsmen to pack the rest of the hole as full of firewood as possible.
Then everyone gears up for the attack, and watches as old Caleb gets the honor of lighting the fire that will burn away the only thing supporting a vital portion of the wall.
The supports burn away. The wall crumbles. The marauders are brought to justice. And old Caleb is the hero of the entire campaign.
And that’s not as impressive as you controlling the story you tell yourself on a daily basis! Since your thoughts precede your emotions, when you control you thoughts your emotions will be controlled? “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32, ESV)