Scripture
It is God’s privilege to conceal things
and the king’s privilege to discover them.
No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth,
or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
Remove the impurities from silver,
and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
Remove the wicked from the king’s court,
and his reign will be made secure by justice.
Don’t demand an audience with the king
or push for a place among the great.
It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table
than to be sent away in public disgrace.
Just because you’ve seen something,
don’t be in a hurry to go to court.
For what will you do in the end
if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?
When arguing with your neighbor,
don’t betray another person’s secret.
Others may accuse you of gossip,
and you will never regain your good reputation.
Timely advice is lovely,
like golden apples in a silver basket.
To one who listens, valid criticism
is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer.
They revive the spirit of their employer.
A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it
is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
Patience can persuade a prince,
and soft speech can break bones.
Do you like honey?
Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!
Don’t visit your neighbors too often,
or you will wear out your welcome.
Telling lies about others
is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,
wounding them with a sword,
or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble
is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.
Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart
is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather
or pouring vinegar in a wound.
If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.
If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,
and the Lord will reward you.
As surely as a north wind brings rain,
so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic
than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
Good news from far away
is like cold water to the thirsty.
If the godly give in to the wicked,
it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.
It’s not good to eat too much honey,
and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.
A person without self-control
is like a city with broken-down walls.
It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself. A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.
There is a reason why we do not give an entire bag of chips to young children to eat. They do not have the maturity to understand how eating too many chips will make them feel, and as a result, they may find themselves eating the entire bag. When young children become older, they gain maturity and understand that eating a whole bag of chips will make them feel sick. As a result, they have a better practice of self-control. You see, with growth, more maturity and self-control are expected. The same is true in Scripture; followers of Christ are called to grow in self-control as they seek to follow Jesus.
Proverbs 25 teaches us the importance of living with self-control. “It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it is not good to seek honors for yourself. A person without self-control is like a city without broken-down walls” (verses 27-28). This verse is a great reminder of why it is important for followers of Christ to learn self-control as they grow in their relationships with Christ. All in all, a lack of self-control is destructive. In Proverbs 25:27, we learn about the harm that a lack of self-control can cause. Honey is delicious, but this verse reminds us that “it’s not good to eat too much honey.” Why? Eating too much honey will make us sick. Ultimately, having a lack of self-control can be destructive. Proverbs 25:28 tells us, “A person without self-control is like a city with broken down walls.” The purpose of city walls during the time of the Old Testament was for protection. Walls kept enemies out of the city and kept them from causing harm and destruction to the city’s inhabitants. Without walls, a city was vulnerable to all kinds of enemies and destruction. When we lack self-control, we are vulnerable to all kinds of enemies, including temptation, that will destroy us. This is why we must fight for maturity and self-control in our lives.
Scripture makes it clear: a lack of self-control leads to our destruction. When we do not have self-control, we are vulnerable to the things in our lives that threaten to destroy us, most namely temptation that leads to sin, and we are also vulnerable to addiction that threatens to take over our lives. When we have growth and maturity in our lives that result in self-control, we are strengthened and protected, rather than vulnerable. The more we grow in our relationships with Christ, and the more we practice self-control, the stronger we will find ourselves in tumultuous times.
Moving Toward Action
Take some time to reflect on Proverbs 25:27-28 and the importance of self-control in our lives. In an effort to meditate on this verse, write it down eight times today. As you write, reflect on the words and ask God to give you a spirit of self-control and protection in your life.
Going Deeper
Read Proverbs 25:1-28 (NLT)
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