In ancient times, cities were surrounded by towering walls that protected the people within from enemies and invaders. Yet, the strongest walls were not impenetrable, for even the most fortified cities had a point of vulnerability: the gates. These gates were often large and imposing. They were the entry and exit points of the city and had to be kept under not only constant lock and key, but also heavily guarded.

Gates were essential in a walled city because they provided controlled access for trade, travel, and communication. Without gates, a city would be completely sealed off, isolating its people from essential resources and interaction with the outside world. Trade would cease, supplies could not enter, and the city's inhabitants would be trapped, leading to economic collapse and starvation. At the same time, without gates, a city's defenses would crumble, as the walls themselves would become practically useless. Gates allowed cities to open and close access as needed, maintaining security while still enabling the lifeblood of trade and diplomacy to flow. Without this critical balance, a walled city would be not only a fortress but also a suffocating prison, doomed to fail.

The story of the city of Arselvia reflects this. Arselvia was a bustling city, known not only for its prosperity, but also for the wisdom of its governing body. One day, from their high vantage point on the watchtowers, the watchmen noticed a group of potentially dangerous intruders gathering on the horizon. Though still far from the city gates, their presence raised suspicion. The watchmen observed them carefully, noting their movements and numbers, and immediately sounded the alarm. Their early detection allowed the guards at the gates to prepare, tightening security and readying their defenses. The watchmen's sharp eyes ensured that the intruders wouldn’t catch the city off guard. While the gates stood as the city's most vulnerable point, the watchmen’s timely warnings gave the guards the advantage, turning potential danger into a manageable threat.

As the hordes far off in the distance started to disperse, the overseers advising the watchmen cautioned, “Our walls are strong, but it is the gates that will determine our survival. If we do not guard them closely, the enemy will slip through posing as merchant-tradesmen. It only takes one unguarded moment for disaster to strike.”

The people of Arselvia understood the overseer’s warning, and they doubled the watch at their gates. Every entrance was heavily fortified, and the guards never left their posts. The gates became the most secure part of the city.

If an enemy were to slip through the gates, the consequences could be catastrophic. Panic would spread among the citizens, and the city's defenders would be caught off guard, struggling to repel the invaders from within. The city's stores of food, water, and valuables could be looted, and its people could face capture or worse, death. A single moment of weakness at the gates could undo years of fortification and lead to the city's downfall. Thus, guarding the gates vigilantly was a matter of survival for any walled city.

As the years passed, when an enemy army sought to conquer Arselvia, they found its walls impossible to breach. Their only hope was to break through the gates. But the gates were so well-defended that not a single enemy soldier could enter. The city stood firm because they had guarded their weakest point.

Like the vulnerable gates of a city, every person has areas in which they are most susceptible. One person may be battling the temptation to engage in immoral conduct. Another might be struggling with impure habits, such as indulging in inappropriate thoughts or images. Still others may face challenges like fear of man, independent thinking, anger, pride, or temptation. These personal gates must be watched and strengthened, for it is through these weaknesses that one can be conquered. As James wisely noted, “each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire.” (James 1:14) Like a city with watchmen and guards, each person must identify their weaknesses and stay attentive, guarding against the threats that seek to break down their defenses.

The Apostle Paul’s words echoed this ancient truth: “I pummel my body and lead it as a slave,” he said, reminding all that watchfulness and self-discipline were the keys to avoiding ruin. (1 Corinthians 9:27)

Just as the gates of Arselvia were the city's defense against invaders, so too are the guarded parts of ourselves our shield against personal failure. And in guarding these, we ensure not only survival but victory in life's battles.

Thank you for reading,
-Soli Jehova Gloria (1 Corinthians 10:31)