With or Without Discipline

There’s a scripture that says, "A man without discipline is like a city broken down without walls." (Proverbs 25:28). Think about that—what happens to a city without walls? It’s vulnerable, exposed, and wide open for anything to come in and take over. And if we’re being honest, that’s exactly what happens in life when we lack discipline.

Discipline isn’t just about willpower; it’s about protection. Without it, we get carried away—into addiction, bad habits, toxic relationships, financial ruin, or even prison. One bad decision leads to another until we find ourselves captive to something we never intended to serve.

The Fall & The Struggle to Rebuild

There’s a real-life process to getting back on track, and it mirrors the way Jerusalem had to be rebuilt after destruction. First, the walls were broken, leaving the city defenseless. Then the people were taken into captivity, and even when they were freed, the process of rebuilding was long, frustrating, and full of setbacks. Sound familiar?

Maybe your walls came down through a personal crisis—an addiction that took over, a betrayal that broke you, or a lifestyle that left you empty. Recognizing the damage is one thing, but rebuilding is a whole other battle.

Rebuilding the Temple – Restoring the Self

When the people returned from captivity, the first thing they rebuilt was the temple (Ezra 3:10-13). This represents the restoration of the self—finding clarity, identity, and purpose again. But the work wasn’t easy. They faced opposition, delays, and moments where they wanted to quit. If you’ve ever tried to turn your life around, you know exactly what that feels like.

Setbacks and opposition are part of the process. People will doubt you. Temptations will creep in. Old habits will try to reclaim you. And sometimes, like the Israelites, you’ll just get tired and stop for a while. But that doesn’t mean the work is over.

Rebuilding the Walls – Establishing Discipline

Even after the temple was restored, Jerusalem was still vulnerable because the walls were broken (Nehemiah 1:3-4). This is where discipline comes in. Having a restored heart or a fresh start isn’t enough if there are no boundaries to protect it.

Nehemiah was heartbroken when he saw the broken walls, just like we are when we realize how exposed and unprotected our lives have been. He pleaded for the chance to rebuild, but as soon as he started the work, opposition showed up. The enemy mocked him, tried to intimidate him, and did everything possible to stop the process (Nehemiah 4:1-3).

That’s how life works. When you finally decide to set boundaries, leave toxic environments, or break destructive cycles, resistance comes. People from your past might not like the new you. The cravings don’t just disappear overnight. The mental battles don’t instantly fade. But Nehemiah kept building, with one hand on the work and the other on a weapon. That’s the mindset required for real change—build while you fight.

From Ruin to Greater Glory

Here’s the best part: the new Jerusalem wasn’t just a copy of the old one. The rebuild came with a greater glory than what was lost (Haggai 2:9). That’s what happens when you go through the fire, endure the process, and come out on the other side—stronger, wiser, and more resilient.

Repentance, rebirth, and resurrection aren’t just religious concepts; they are real-life processes. Repentance is the moment of realization, when you recognize the need for change. Rebirth is the decision to start over, rebuilding yourself from the inside out. Resurrection is when you rise up stronger than before, no longer defined by what broke you but by the discipline that now sustains you.

With or without discipline, life moves forward. But without it, we stay vulnerable—repeating cycles, falling back into old traps, and never truly rebuilding. With discipline, though, we don’t just recover—we rise.