’Odysseus and the Sirens’. Herbert James Draper, 1909. Ferens Art Gallery, Hull.

In the story of Ulysses, from Homer’s Odyssey, he is on his ship, trying to make his way home? He knows he will pass by the Isle of the Sirens, those voices sing out across the sea in such enticing tones that many sailors are led to their deaths on the jagged, rocky shores, never to see home or their destination. Ulysses commanded that his men put wax in their ears so they could not hear those voices and so be led to their destruction. But for himself, he was tied to the mast so that he could hear their singing. He commanded that none of his orders while hearing them were to be obeyed. The voices almost drive him mad until finally the ship passes by, the voices are stilled, and once more his ears are filled with the voices of his wife and son, with home, with his true destination. So many voices crying out to us on our journey,

Temptation has that effect on everyone. When we set sail towards temptation we are fighting a battle that is far greater than our human capacity to endure. Had Ulysses not had himself tied to the mast and told his sailors to ignore his desire to set off after the tempting allures of the forbidden island he too would have made shipwreck along the shores of life’s many temptations.

There has to be something stronger than our own resolve to hold us fast in order for us to be able to overcome temptation. Life is full of temptations for even Jesus was tempted but He being divine was able to resist temptation and thus prove worthy to forgive us when we are tempted and overcome.

Because Jesus experienced temptation when he suffered, he is able to help others when they are tempted. Heb 2:18 (GW)

Why Ulysses chose to set sail directly into the path of temptation and not plan a route around it speaks of human nature. For those who have a sense of invincibility have a tendency to head straight into temptation feeling it will not overtake them. It is not until they have been overtaken that they come to the realization that no one is above temptations allure.

We see this play out on life’s stage all to often in the lives of Hollywood stars and starlets who have been overtaken by temptation and have fallen. Some feel that being rich and famous shields them from these kinds of effects. Like Ulysses they too set sail straight towards the sweet sound of temptation and have come to shipwreck.

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James 1:14-15 (ESV)

Some started off on the straight and narrow path only to be pulled away by the sweet sounds of temptation. The allure of the sirens call is seductive and alluring. It is foolish to believe we can avoid being swept up by the tidal surge of the sirens call without being moored to an immovable object. Ulysses knew that he had to take precautions in order to circumnavigate his way around the lure of the sirens call.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) 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.

Jesus is that rock to which we may fasten our life lines to. It was for such a time as this that Jesus came to rescue us from the lures of temptation and to deliver us from evil. When the temptations are strongest that is when the ties that bind us need to be even stronger.

How are your bands holding up? Have you loosened the chains that hold you fast to Christ? Have you been praying to not be led into temptation? Is Christ piloting your ship through the swirling waters of temptation or are you still firmly planted behind the wheel trying to steer clear of the sirens call?

The only safe place to be when temptation calls is tied fast to the word of God with Jesus at the wheel of your ship. Then and only then will you be able to navigate the rough waters around the seas of temptation. We like the shipmates need to plug our ears to the worlds allure song and focus on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. God will make a way if we look to him to pilot our vessels.