In ancient times, a city’s greatest defense was its wall. Thus, an invading army had one initial purpose – to destroy the wall. Once the wall was breached, the city was quickly laid waste.

In the Scriptures we find that there is a vital spiritual wall which is needed in the life of every man, woman and child. In Proverbs 25:28 we read: “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”

How are we to “rule our own spirits?” Paul talked about this kind of ruling. He called it keeping his body under subjection. “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” 1 Corinthians 9:27.

There is only one standard which YHWH has given to govern our spirits There is only one rule which is to govern the members of our bodies. It is the holy Law of YHWH. This is our wall of protection, without which the city of our heart is easily laid waste by the enemy of souls.

In reference to the vital importance of walking in obedience to God’s holy Law, Ellen White wrote: “Where shall we find laws more noble, pure, and just, than are exhibited on the statute books wherein is recorded the instruction given to Moses for the children of Israel? Through all time these laws are to be perpetuated, that the character of God's people may be formed after the divine similitude. The law is a wall of protection to those who are obedient to God's precepts” (Fundamentals of Christian Education, p 394).

But, as the Law of YHWH is ONE law, what is meant by the idea of the “double wall” as the title of this article proclaims?

The double wall is a reference to the parts of the Law. In Psalms 19, David proclaimed that the “law of the Lord is perfect.” The word “Law” as listed here, and throughout the Old Testament is translated from the Hebrew word torah. Torah is the commandments and statutes as found throughout the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible).

The commandments AND statutes comprise the safeguarding heavenly wall. In addition, the law contains the testimonies and the judgments. The judgments are the “blessings” and “cursings” which are poured out upon those who are obedient or disobedient the Torah, respectively. The testimonies are the edifying stories of our spiritual forefathers. While all of these four parts comprise the Law in totality, it is the commandments and statutes which specifically tell us what YHWH would have us think and do.

These two parts comprise our double wall of protection. As it says in Deuteronomy 30:10, “…Hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law…”

Many Sabbath-keeping Christians believe in keeping the Ten Commandments, yet they ignore the statutes. They are deceived into believing that they safely reside within the law-wall and are safe, while only heeding the Ten Commandments.

Thus, in a way, they only believe in a single wall of protection. Yet the Law of YHWH doesn’t work like that. We either have the DOUBLE wall of both the commandments AND the statutes in our lives, or we have no walls at all! For the sacred double wall of God’s Law stands or falls together. We cannot keep it while breaking even the smallest part of it. As it says in James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

The reason the inner wall of the commandments cannot stand without the outer wall of the statutes is that the Ten Commandments are like the chapter headings and the statutes are like the content of the chapters. In other words, the statutes are the fineprint that help us understand how to keep the ten areas of God’s Law listed in the commandments.

This is why Christ said, “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” Matthew 5:28. This concept is from the statutes. In Leviticus chapter 18, there are several statutes commanding God’s people to not “uncover” or behold the “nakedness” of others. This statute is an outer wall of protection which keeps us from the pornographic temptations that easily result in committing adultery or fornication. This is the same relationship that all 613 statutes have with the commandments.

If we would be God’s people, and would stand strong against the devil’s onslaught, we must safely stand within the whole circle of the double wall of YHWH’s commandments and statutes. Believing that we stand within the safety of God’s Law, while only believing the commandments is yet another demonic lie issued by the one who wishes to lay waste our hearts and homes. Let us rebuild the double wall through Christ-empowered obedience, without delay!