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

Control can be a particularly touchy subject in today's society.  It can feel like a restriction of freedom, which is one of the most sacred values in our culture.  Even when it's self-imposed, control can make us antsy, anxious, and angry at anyone who might suggest that any given natural impulse is less-than-beneficial for us.  The bad thing about (self-)control, basically is that it can prevent us from doing certain things that we really want to do.

The good thing about (self-)control, however, is that it can prevent us from doing certain things that we really want to do!  That is, sometimes we find ourselves wanting to do things that might be genuinely destructive -- smoking, over-eating, skimming money from the cash register, sleeping with someone else's wife, killing someone out of anger, etc. -- and the very best thing for ourselves and for others is to exercise some level of self-control.  Control is, perhaps, not always something negative.  Case in point:  control is what allows for the power of a raging river to be converted into electricity.  Control is what allows a fire in a fireplace to warm us, without worrying about the walls and ceilings catching fire and consuming us in a fiery inferno.  Control is what allows us to build trust-based relationships with each other, without worrying that we'll automatically revert to an every-man-for-himself mentality in times of trouble.

(Self-)Control is like the walls which protect an ancient city, providing a look-out point to guard against enemies, monitoring and discerning who goes into the city and who goes out, and offering a first level of defense in times of attack.  Without control, a city or a person is defenseless -- unaware of approaching threats, unable to exercise discernment when needed, and completely vulnerable to attack and failure.  A person with no self-control is a grave danger to himself and to anyone with whom he associates.

Call me a prude.  Call me old-school.  Call me a conservative citadel of control.  But I have a high personal value on self-control.  Such defenses always need maintenance and care -- but it's a very worthwhile discipline.