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Word of Jerusalem’s broken down walls and burned gates were reported to Nehemiah. (Neh. 1:3)

Nehemiah mourned for days over Jerusalem’s deteriorated condition. (Neh. 1:4)

King Artaxerxes gave Nehemiah permission return home and rebuild the walls. (Neh. 2:1-5)

When Nehemiah returned home he inspected the walls. (Neh. 2:13)

Then Nehemiah gathered the officials and proposed a rebuilding of the walls. (2:17)

The response: “Let us arise and build.” (Neh. 2:18)

Walls were important. They kept marauding bands attacking a city, and they prevented foreign powers from taking possession of a city.

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Text: Proverbs 25:28— A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

This wall stands as a mighty fortress against Satan:

Eph. 6:12—For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (ESV)

Eph. 6:12—For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (NKJV)

Eph. 6:12—For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (NIV)

Text: Proverbs 25:28— A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

This wall stands as a mighty fortress against Satan:

Eph. 6:12—For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (ESV)

Eph. 6:12—For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (NKJV)

Eph. 6:12—For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (NIV) 04/19/23 3

Proverbs 25:28—Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

Proverbs 16:32—Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

1 Cor. 6:12—“Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything.

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Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)

Self-control is a qualification of an elder. (Tit. 1:8)

Self-denial is essential for the Christian to receive his crown. (1 Cor. 9:25)

Self-control is a Christian virtue. (2 Pet. 1:6)

Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)

Self-control is a qualification of an elder. (Tit. 1:8)

Self-denial is essential for the Christian to receive his crown. (1 Cor. 9:25)

Self-control is a Christian virtue. (2 Pet. 1:6)

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Bad Temper The fool gives vent to his anger (Proverbs

29:11) Be angry and do not sin. (Eph. 4:26)

Angry—Orgizo—often the result of spontaneous reaction.

Do not let the sun go down on your wrath. (Eph. 4:27) Wrath—parorgismo—a cherished form of anger.

It can destroy brotherly love. The churning of anger produces strife. (Prov.

30:33)

Bad Temper The fool gives vent to his anger (Proverbs

29:11) Be angry and do not sin. (Eph. 4:26)

Angry—Orgizo—often the result of spontaneous reaction.

Do not let the sun go down on your wrath. (Eph. 4:27) Wrath—parorgismo—a cherished form of anger.

It can destroy brotherly love. The churning of anger produces strife. (Prov.

30:33) 04/19/23 6

The Tongue Biblical wisdom literature warns against the

potential grievous affects of the tongue. (Prov. 18:20-21)

The Tongue Can Tear Down the Wall Through: Lies (John 8:44; Prov. 19:5; Prov. 6:16-19) Sowing discord

The Tongue Biblical wisdom literature warns against the

potential grievous affects of the tongue. (Prov. 18:20-21)

The Tongue Can Tear Down the Wall Through: Lies (John 8:44; Prov. 19:5; Prov. 6:16-19) Sowing discord

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Always looking for trouble Proverbs 18:6-7 --A fool’s lips enter into

contention, And his mouth calls for blows. 7 eA fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his fsoul.

Nagging Proverbs 19:13 —A foolish son is ruin to his

father, and ua wife’s quarreling is va continual dripping of rain.

Backbiter Proverbs 25:23—The north wind brings forth

rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. Pride:

Proverbs 13:10—By pride comes nothing but hstrife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.

Proverbs 28:25—He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, xBut he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered.

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The Tongue Biblical wisdom literature warns against the

potential grievous affects of the tongue. (Prov. 18:20-21)

The Tongue Can Tear Down the Wall Through: Lies (John 8:44; Prov. 19:5; Prov. 6:16-19) Sowing discord Tale bearing (Prov. 11:13)

The Tongue Biblical wisdom literature warns against the

potential grievous affects of the tongue. (Prov. 18:20-21)

The Tongue Can Tear Down the Wall Through: Lies (John 8:44; Prov. 19:5; Prov. 6:16-19) Sowing discord Tale bearing (Prov. 11:13)

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SEX Solomon warned his son of sexual sin.

(Proverbs 5:15-23; 6:24-35; 7:6-27; When one commits adultery they “lack

understanding” (Proverbs 6:32) When one commits adultery they destroy their

own life. (Proverbs 6:32) When one commits adultery people will not

forget it and it will ruin his reputation. (Proverbs 6:33)

The fury of a jealous husband’s rage will not be appeased through gifts. (Proverbs 6:34)

SEX Solomon warned his son of sexual sin.

(Proverbs 5:15-23; 6:24-35; 7:6-27; When one commits adultery they “lack

understanding” (Proverbs 6:32) When one commits adultery they destroy their

own life. (Proverbs 6:32) When one commits adultery people will not

forget it and it will ruin his reputation. (Proverbs 6:33)

The fury of a jealous husband’s rage will not be appeased through gifts. (Proverbs 6:34)

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Forrest D, Moyer: “However, we must recognize that self-control of our sexual activities is most fundamental. Let us face the fact that it is so easy for us to play with the fire of sex in our minds, to fantasize and to entertain the “What if…” imaginations. We don’t want to get burned, but we like to take a long look at the fire. Fire is mesmerizing as it dances around with its flickers of blues, reds and yellows. Before we realize it, we are dancing with it into its devouring flames. A.W. Tozer once said, “No Christian ever fell into sin who did not first allow himself to brood over it with increasing desire.” Such is true with the thoughts of sex. What happens too often is that by allowing ourselves to watch the flame, we fall into the fire. The scars from the burned heart will remain long after the embers have turned into ashes.” (Eternal Wisdom for Daily Living, 1992 Florida College Lectures, page 137)

Forrest D, Moyer: “However, we must recognize that self-control of our sexual activities is most fundamental. Let us face the fact that it is so easy for us to play with the fire of sex in our minds, to fantasize and to entertain the “What if…” imaginations. We don’t want to get burned, but we like to take a long look at the fire. Fire is mesmerizing as it dances around with its flickers of blues, reds and yellows. Before we realize it, we are dancing with it into its devouring flames. A.W. Tozer once said, “No Christian ever fell into sin who did not first allow himself to brood over it with increasing desire.” Such is true with the thoughts of sex. What happens too often is that by allowing ourselves to watch the flame, we fall into the fire. The scars from the burned heart will remain long after the embers have turned into ashes.” (Eternal Wisdom for Daily Living, 1992 Florida College Lectures, page 137)

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SEX One cannot commit this sin and not be

burned. (Proverbs 6:27-29) Paul declares an often treaded path to

fornication. (Eph. 5:3-5) Covetousness—this sin begins in the mind Course jesting—the foul mind is revealed

through unwholesome and suggestive language. Unclean behavior—begins as a result of the foul

and suggestive behavior. Fornication—the end result of covetousness,

course jesting, and unclean behavior.

SEX One cannot commit this sin and not be

burned. (Proverbs 6:27-29) Paul declares an often treaded path to

fornication. (Eph. 5:3-5) Covetousness—this sin begins in the mind Course jesting—the foul mind is revealed

through unwholesome and suggestive language. Unclean behavior—begins as a result of the foul

and suggestive behavior. Fornication—the end result of covetousness,

course jesting, and unclean behavior.

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SEX Solomon could see the affects of impure sex in the

history of Israel. Samson

Samson was strong enough to carry off city gates (Judges 16:3)

Samson was not strong enough to resist ungodly women. (Judges 14:1-3; Judges 16)

David David’s walls were broken down by dwelling on

Bathsheba. (2 Samuel 11) How many homes will be broken? How many

hearts left in agony? How many tears will be shed because men do not exercise self-control in the sexual realm? (1 Cor. 6:18-20)

SEX Solomon could see the affects of impure sex in the

history of Israel. Samson

Samson was strong enough to carry off city gates (Judges 16:3)

Samson was not strong enough to resist ungodly women. (Judges 14:1-3; Judges 16)

David David’s walls were broken down by dwelling on

Bathsheba. (2 Samuel 11) How many homes will be broken? How many

hearts left in agony? How many tears will be shed because men do not exercise self-control in the sexual realm? (1 Cor. 6:18-20)

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PORNOGRAPHY Satan does not have to use the overt act of

fornication to break down the wall. The writers of the wisdom literature saw this:

Job 31:1— “I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?

Proverbs 6:25— Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids.

In 1990 there were over 400 “R” rated movies released. Only 9 “G” rated movies were released.

PORNOGRAPHY Satan does not have to use the overt act of

fornication to break down the wall. The writers of the wisdom literature saw this:

Job 31:1— “I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?

Proverbs 6:25— Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids.

In 1990 there were over 400 “R” rated movies released. Only 9 “G” rated movies were released.

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Pornography Time Statistics Every second - $3,075.64 is being

spent on pornography. Every second - 28,258 internet users

are viewing pornography. Every second - 372 internet users are

typing adult search terms into search engines.

Every 39 minutes: a new pornographic video is being created in the United States.

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Internet Pornography StatisticsPornographic websites 4.2 million (12% of total websites)Pornographic pages 420 millionDaily pornographic search engine requests

68 million (25% of total search engine requests)

Daily pornographic emails 2.5 billion (8% of total emails)Internet users who view porn 42.7%Received unwanted exposure to sexual material

34%

Average daily pornographic emails/user

4.5 per Internet user

Monthly Pornographic downloads (Peer-to-peer)

1.5 billion (35% of all downloads)

Daily Gnutella "child pornography" requests

116,000

Websites offering illegal child pornography

100,000

Sexual solicitations of youth made in chat rooms

89%

Youths who received sexual solicitation

1 in 7 (down from 2003 stat of 1 in 3)

Worldwide visitors to pornographic web sites

72 million visitors to pornography: Monthly

Internet Pornography Sales $4.9 billion04/19/23 16

Increased marital distress, and risk of separation and divorce

Decreased marital intimacy and sexual satisfaction,

Infidelity Increased appetite for more graphic types of

pornography and sexual activity associated with abusive, illegal or unsafe practices

Devaluation of monogamy, marriage and child rearing

An increasing number of people struggling with compulsive and addictive sexual behavior

Increased marital distress, and risk of separation and divorce

Decreased marital intimacy and sexual satisfaction,

Infidelity Increased appetite for more graphic types of

pornography and sexual activity associated with abusive, illegal or unsafe practices

Devaluation of monogamy, marriage and child rearing

An increasing number of people struggling with compulsive and addictive sexual behavior

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ALCOHOL Proverbs 23:29-35— Who has woe? Who has

sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has mwounds without cause? Who has nredness of eyes? 30  Those who otarry long over wine; those who go to try pmixed wine. 31  Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. 32  In the end it qbites like a serpent and stings like an adder. 33  Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter rperverse things. 34  You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.1 35  “They sstruck me,” you will say,1 “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I tmust have another drink.” (ESV)

ALCOHOL Proverbs 23:29-35— Who has woe? Who has

sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has mwounds without cause? Who has nredness of eyes? 30  Those who otarry long over wine; those who go to try pmixed wine. 31  Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. 32  In the end it qbites like a serpent and stings like an adder. 33  Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter rperverse things. 34  You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.1 35  “They sstruck me,” you will say,1 “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I tmust have another drink.” (ESV)

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UNCONTROLLED SPENDING AND DEBT Solomon instructed his son to:

Live within his means (Proverbs 27:23-27) Be honest in your dealings (Proverbs 16:11) Do not take advantage of the poor (Proverbs 22:16) Do not be surety for a loan unless you can pay it.

(Proverbs 22:26-27) The borrower is indebted to the lender. (Proverbs

22:7) How many Americans have become servants to

compulsive spending. They bow down at the altar of VISA, MASTERCARD and AMERICAN EXCESS.

1 Cor. 6:12;

UNCONTROLLED SPENDING AND DEBT Solomon instructed his son to:

Live within his means (Proverbs 27:23-27) Be honest in your dealings (Proverbs 16:11) Do not take advantage of the poor (Proverbs 22:16) Do not be surety for a loan unless you can pay it.

(Proverbs 22:26-27) The borrower is indebted to the lender. (Proverbs

22:7) How many Americans have become servants to

compulsive spending. They bow down at the altar of VISA, MASTERCARD and AMERICAN EXCESS.

1 Cor. 6:12;

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Tell Yourself the Truth About the Problem. Jeremiah 17:9;

Totally Turn Over Your Will to God. Luke 9:23; Phil. 3:7-8; 1 Cor. 6:15; 1 Cor. 6:18-

20; Replace the Negative with the Good.

Col. 3:1-2; Psalm 119:11; Rely on the Power of Prayer

Psalm 65:2; Psalm 55:22; Luke 11:9-13; Eph. 3:20;

Seek the Help of Others Gal. 6:2; Hebrews 10:24;

Tell Yourself the Truth About the Problem. Jeremiah 17:9;

Totally Turn Over Your Will to God. Luke 9:23; Phil. 3:7-8; 1 Cor. 6:15; 1 Cor. 6:18-

20; Replace the Negative with the Good.

Col. 3:1-2; Psalm 119:11; Rely on the Power of Prayer

Psalm 65:2; Psalm 55:22; Luke 11:9-13; Eph. 3:20;

Seek the Help of Others Gal. 6:2; Hebrews 10:24;

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