I was having a conversation recently about Turkish delight. I am sorry if you are a fan of that particular treat, but it is not good. Our conversation revolved around Edmund’s decision to betray his family over the allure of the stuff in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Apparently what passes for Turkish delight today is very different from what Lewis was imagining when he wrote the infamous scene. Perhaps if Lewis had known what a miserable experience Turkish delight has come to be, he would have picked something that tasted better.
Though he didn’t intend it, the current state of the treat combined with Edmund eating it with abandon paints a great picture of the allure of sin. It made me think of how sin tempts us, because in foolishness, we don’t know In Proverbs 9, the woman Folly calls out to the simple and draws them into her lair. She promises them something which is sweet to the taste: “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” (v.17) You see, sin has a reputation for being pleasing. The reputation is not altogether unearned, afterall it feels much better to lie to your parents about where you were than it does to tell them the truth and come under their godly discipline; it seems like it feels better to spend time with the woman at work who ‘gets you’ than to go home to your wife and kids. But these things are deceiving. If you only knew their true cost, then their allure would be lessened!
To think you can flirt with sin–that you can just have a taste–is foolish. Before long you will find you have gorged yourself upon the filth, and given up everything for it. In chapter 7, a similar scene plays out and Folly sets the hook and reels the man in.
“With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life. (v.21-23)
Sin seems sweet because of what we think it will do for us–give us power, money, pleasure, control, friends–but the truth is that the pleasure is fleeting, and what it really gives us is death. Sin would have you never be satisfied except that you take just one more bite. . .and yet another.
But there is one who is perfectly sweet and he gives us the greatest reward–he gives us eternal life. Jesus Christ offers us the only thing which will truly satisfy our longing: himself.
Resist the temptation of the flesh to pursue those things which seem like they will be sweet, but really can never satisfy. Instead, follow the exhortation of the psalmist who says, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!” (Psalm 34:8)
About the Author
Robert Gardner serves as the Pastor of Discipleship at Morningview Baptist Church (Montgomery, Alabama). He holds an M.A. in Theological Studies and is pursuing a Master of Divinity from Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Kate, have four wonderful children.
This blog post is authored by a student of Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary.
