
“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. This is an example from homelife but we need to be on guard during this election season as rhetoric flows and tempers flare. Replace the breach of unchecked anger with the bricks of gospel meditation, heart examination, and patience.
Sexual Lust
The reason I titled this section sexual lust is because lust has many forms, but one that is common in the church, and celebrated in the world, is sexual in nature. It seems that a year doesn’t pass us by without some tragic story of a pastor removed from office for his sexual misconduct. These stories are tragic and known to the public, but many indulge in sexual lust in a dark room behind the glow of a computer screen. Remember that we live before the face of God. Remember that sex is a gift from God to be enjoyed between a man and woman in the confines of marriage. The world tells us that it’s all about personal gratification so go do what you do. “Yolo” right? Sure, we only live once but, “it is appointed for men to die once, and after this the judgment.” (Heb. 9:27). Replace the breach of sexual lust with the bricks of a godly marriage, marital sex, and fleeing sexual immorality.
Gluttony
In the south we often treat gluttony as a virtue and in the church we can treat immoderate use of meat and drink as freedom. I am in no way advocating some form of asceticism. The Lord has given us food and drink “to be received with thanksgiving.” He has given wine to “gladden the heart” and food to be enjoyed and sustain us. The problem is excess. When our eating and drinking is excessive, it is a danger to our health, soul, and puts others in danger. In my context, drunkenness and gluttony are sins that receive a wink and a giggle; sometimes you even get a free T-shirt or your picture on the wall for your excessive behavior. Replace the breach of gluttony with the bricks of thanksgiving, moderation, and self control.
It would be worthwhile for us all to pick up a copy of the Westminster Larger Catechism and spend time with questions 135 and 136. Also, it’s helpful to memorize a passage of scripture like Colossians 3 or Romans 6. The Psalmist said “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” This is not a bootstrap mentality of mustering up enough resolve to just get it done. We come humbly and reliant upon the Spirit of God who is the true builder of the house. 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!
Josh Reagan is the Associate Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, MS and serves as an editor with Reforming Men.
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