I can’t, I won’t, I shouldn’t, but maybe just this once…
Tue November 29th, 2005
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe is about to hit our movie screens and in it we see a plethora of messages revealing CS Lewis's relationship with God.
A Story with a Message
In the story of four children who find the magical world of Narnia through the doors of a wardrobe, Edmund the youngest 'Son of Adam', bumps into the White Witch and is enticed by her enchanted Turkish Delight.
In life, we all make mistakes – we know that we have all sinned and fallen short of God's standard (Romans 3:23), but are we all enticed and enchanted? Isn't everything down to our own stumbling, or is there really another force at work – a witch or in fact a devil?
A Power at Work
If my life is anything to go by, I can make enough mistakes without too much external help, but the Bible reveals that there is another power at work, other than my own frailty.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. NIV
A power is at work in my nature and my mind – a power that Jesus has come to set me free from.
Rom 8:2 through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. NIV
A Seductive Scent
When we become Christians we do not automatically stop sinning – because we still breath the polluted air of this planet – tainted with the seductive scent of Satan.
Eph 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. NKJV
We see from this scripture that we have to choose to be obedient – for that evil spirit Satan cannot live in the obedient, or in those who do not give into lust (fleshly passion or desire).We achieve that victory by recognising that the person that Satan influenced and enchanted for years is now dead, so as a new person we have authority in Christ to say 'No' to sin.
Rom 6:11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin , as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. NIV
I used to be Snow White...but I drifted
Mae West famously said "I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" and Oscar Wilde said "I can resist anything except temptation". Neither of these people were known for their morality or role model behaviour. It isn't funny to joke about not being able to resist – on the contrary we should make our bold battle cry of victory.
2 Cor 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. NIV
Like David in front of Goliath, it is time that we changed our attitude to sin, that champion of Satan, and declared that it will no longer live in us. (1 Samuel 17:45-47)
Mouse Trap or Death Trap?
When you start the each day ask God to help you resist the Turkish Delight that the enemy offers you – it is just like bait in a mouse trap – when you taste it is already too late.
Listen to the Word – which requires that you read it – and listen to your conscience. If either of these warning systems activates a red light – stop immediately and head away from sin. Jesus wants us to bring in His kingdom and fulfil His great commission (Matthew 28:18-20). We are no good to him if we are compromised, corrupted and debauched.
There is an old song that goes "you won't get to heaven by living like hell" – and it is true. Don't make life hard for yourself by just giving in and taking one more piece – fight the good fight of faith and then you will be in the commanding position.
Say no to sin now – Jesus died to set you free from its power.
Say no to temptation – Jesus died to set you free from the tempter too.