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.

“Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.”

Gravel.  “An unconsolidated mixture of rock fragments or pebbles,” the dictionary says.  The next time you start leaning into the alluring charm of temptation, just go ahead and grab yourself a plateful of gravel.

Chew on it a while, as you consider the promise that sin is sweet and pleasant at first taste.  It may well be.  But gravel is what you get at the end.  Sin promises gain and pleasure, but like the hook embedded in the worm, you’ll be very disappointed with the deception. 

Gravel is harsh food.  It breaks your teeth, bloodies your tongue, makes your jaws feel like they’ve been in a car crash, and it pretty much ruins your palate for a long time.

Don’t take the bait.  If Eve were here she’d tell you the same thing.  The grace of God is sweet from beginning to end.  Sin may taste sweet at first, but it’s always bitter at the end.