John Bunyan’s classic Pilgrim’s Progress describes the journey of a man named Christian from the City of Destruction to Celestial City. Along the way he meets those who try to deter him from his narrow path as well as those who encourage him to keep going. He experiences valleys of difficulty and mountains of refreshment. The story is an allegory of the Christian life, and it has much to teach us.
Early in his journey, Christian meets a lady named Prudence with whom he discusses his proneness to still dwell on the things of the world and to sin. He describes how he had had times of victory, but they happen infrequently. Prudence asks the question, “When you experienced such precious times in overcoming carnal annoyances, can you remember how you obtained these victories?” I love Christian’s answer. He points to four things that help him turn away from temptation. When I teach this book to my students, I have them take note of them by writing them down. As believers, I think these four tips can help us too in any type of temptation we face.
1. “When I think and meditate on what I saw at the cross, that will do it.” Meditate on the cross. Think about what your sins cost your Savior. In Colossians 2:13-14, Paul uses this great word picture to drive home why Christ died. In Roman times, there existed a written note of indebtedness when a debt was owed. Paul refers to this record of debt that stood against us because of our sin. This note was “nailed to the cross” when Christ died, showing that the punishment for this debt was being paid. How can we, knowing what Christ went through on our behalf, go on sinning?
2. “When I look at my embroidered coat, that will do it.” Know that you are robed in the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 6:18, Zech. 3:4). We stand no longer guilty before God because of our sin; instead, God sees us through the righteousness of another. Let us remember that identity. We are no longer slaves to sin but to righteousness. Therefore, “how can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:2).
3. “When I read and study the scroll I carry in my pocket next to my heart, that will do it.” Turn to the Word. Let us allow the truths of Scripture to turn our hearts away from the sin we are being drawn to. Let its words remind us that fullness of joy can only be found in Christ and not in the sin that we are tempted to pursue or the worldly mindset we find ourselves drifting toward (Psalm 16:11, John 15:11).
4. “When my thoughts are warmly stimulated about where I am going, that will do it too.” Think about heaven. May we dwell on what is to come – a beautiful, glorious eternity awaits in which we will no longer struggle with sin, and we will live with our Lord and our brothers and sisters in Christ in perfect Shalom. We can do the battle now against sin, knowing that one day the battle will be over, and we will be made perfect.
I don’t know what sin struggles you face or where you are tempted to set your mind on the things of earth rather than the things of God, but I know mine. I know my struggle will start in the morning when I’m tempted to stay in bed rather than get up to spend time with the Lord. I know that my frustration will rise after breaking up fights between my children or listening to complaints about school work. I know that worries may crowd in and cause my mind to look away from God and His good plans for my life and toward all the “What-Ifs” of the future. In moments such as these, we would do well to heed Christian’s advice; even just pondering one will suffice: Meditate on the cross. Remember you wear the righteousness of Christ. Set your mind on the Word. Think about the future that ultimately awaits. Sisters in Christ, let’s fight the sin that so easily entangles and run with endurance as we too walk that narrow path to the Celestial City where our Savior sits at the right hand of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).
--Amy O'Rear
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