One of the most obvious but most difficult lessons for the growing Christian to keep in mind in a moment of temptation is the unpleasant aftertaste of sin.  The Apostle Paul, speaking about sins that were once “enjoyed” asks a telling question:  “But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?  The end of those things is death.” The aftertaste of sin is shame and death.  Yuck.  The book of Proverbs also describes sin’s aftertaste.

In Proverbs 9.17 the temptress seduces the simple young man with the promise that “stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” But read the next verse, Proverbs 9.18.  Quite a contrast between the enticement of the temptation and the pathetic reality of the story’s conclusion, huh?

But the aftertaste of “stolen water” and “secret bread” (which are evocative pictures of sin on many different levels) is perhaps more vividly portrayed in Proverbs 20.17.

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Ask yourself the following questions.  I dare you.

What words of condolence do you offer the grieving widow at the graveside?  How would you respond to a mandatory military conscription of your son?  Your daughter?  If you’re simply not prepared for parenthood, is it morally acceptable to abort your child?  If there’s a chance that a cure for Parkinson’s Disease might be found by harvesting tissues from a developing human being, do you?

If you’re absolutely positive that this is the man (or woman) for you, is it really necessary to wait for marriage before engaging in physical intimacy?  If your employee has given you 32 years of loyal service to the company, but last Tuesday it became economically advantageous to fire him, do you immediately do so?  Is corporal punishment an acceptable form of discipline in child-rearing, or is it always abusive?  When your marriage gets rough, and you’re sure that both you and your spouse would be happier with other people, is divorce an option?

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Children’s Bible Camp 2007 was a fantastic success!  Nineteen of the church’s children (and one adult in his unforgettable acting debut as Goliath of Gath) treated us to a very impressive presentation of “A Man After God’s Own Heart”—an original three–act play based on the early life of David. 

Excellent work, children!  And thank you again to all the adults who worked so hard to help the children get themselves prepared for this service to the church.  It was both delightfully fun and richly edifying.

“Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.  Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
—Jesus

In the early days of the church — when Christians could become lion food for refusing to worship Caesar — one aged bishop taught everyone with ears to hear and eyes to see that if the truth is worth living for, it’s worth dying for as well.  His name was Polycarp.  He was a direct disciple of the Apostle John himself.  And in one of the most well–documented events of the ancient world, his courage in the face of death emboldened persecuted Christians throughout the empire to remain faithful to Christ, regardless of the cost.

The bloodthirsty crowds in the arena were getting bored with the deaths of common Christians.  “Followers, that’s all they are!  We want their leader!  We want Polycarp!  Death to Polycarp!  Death to Polycarp!” So, the Roman governor gave the arrest order, and eventually the soldiers escorted Bishop Polycarp into the arena. 

The crowd roared with approval.

The governor called for quiet with a wave of his hand.  He looked down at the old man.  “Are you Polycarp, the teacher of the Christians?”

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Think about the last argument or disagreement you had. The other person made a comment that evoked pain in you, and you responded with… what?

In the book of Proverbs, God is training his sons and daughters to live wisely and skillfully in everyday situations. It’s an eminently practical book; a mine full of treasures! In 15.1—picking up the theme of anger from 14.35—we are told this: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

By the way, if you’re like me, you have to read a Proverb at least four times slowly before it really starts to sink in. Try it and see what a difference it makes.

It takes a lot of discipline to give soft answers in the midst of an irritating or angry confrontation. It’s so much easier and self-pleasing to yield to your temper, to resort to childish sarcasm, to get defensive, and to start throwing around “hard” words.

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