The Sirens were three mysterious women who, according to Homer’s Odyssey, lived on an island. Whenever a ship passed by, they would stand on the cliffs and sing. Their beautiful song would tempt sailors closer and closer until eventually they were shipwrecked on the rocks below.
Odysseus was curious to hear the Sirens’ song but was well aware of the dangers. He ordered his men to tie him to the mast as they approached the island and then to plug their own ears with beeswax. When Odysseus heard the Siren call, he demanded to be untied, but his shipmates bound him tighter, releasing him only when the danger had passed.
The story explores the powerful pull we all feel at times to flirt with choices that we know are bad, and even destructive.
No one can go through life without being tempted. Temptation is not sin; Jesus was ‘without sin’, yet even he was ‘tempted in every way, just as we are’ (Hebrews 4:15).
The Scriptures also remind us; “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (I Corinthians 10:13)
That’s a truth that I leaned on, on many occasions. Unfortunately, I yielded to those temptations much more often than I planned, rejecting the rescue that God provided.
Resist temptation by staying plugged into the source of all goodness and mercy. It’s a daily decision that will guide the rest of your life.
And that’s the Memo. Steve
