11.3 Tying Yourself to the Mast

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In The Odyssey, Odysseus had his men tie him to the mast of his ship so that he wouldn’t succumb to the Siren’s alluring song as they passed the rocky Sirenum Scopuli islands. The Sirens were mythical sea nymphs who sang so beautifully that sailors would sail their ships into the island cliffs in an attempt to reach them.

Odysseus commanded his men not to untie him, no matter what he said, and he had them all plug their ears with beeswax. By doing so, he wanted to have his cake but avoid eating it. He wanted to be the only man to listen to the Siren’s song without giving in to its power. All others had succumbed to the irresistible call and met their deaths when they sank their boats on the rocks.

Odysseus was an idiot. Don’t try this at home. He got away with it only because the book was named after him and it was early in the story, but you can’t take these kinds of chances with the Enemy. You may think you’re above a particular temptation. You may think you are immune to its power. You, unlike other men, can handle it without falling. You’ve tied yourself to the mast and can experience the temptation and maintain your purity. It’s not true. You can’t tie yourself to the mast tightly enough if you are putting yourself in harm’s way. That’s exactly where Satan will come after you.

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Filed under Chapter 10, Nehemiah, Wallbuilder, christianity, sexual purity, spiritual warfare, temptation

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