Resisting the Siren’s Song
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
(a Steve Orr Bible reflection)
In case you haven't read The Odyssey or seen one of the films, let me sum it up: Odysseus (also known as Ulysses) and his crew have been fighting in a terrible war in Troy (of Trojan Horse fame). As they attempt to sail home to Ithica on the Mediterranean Sea, they are blown off course by mighty storms. Adventures and misadventures follow. One of those misadventures involves some Sirens—creatures who sing a song that, legend held, seduces sailors to their death.
Those Sirens were alluring—but ultimately destructive. So, before meeting those bewitching females, Odysseus had everyone's ears sealed with wax. But he had himself—minus the earwax—tied securely to the ship’s mast. Then, even though he could hear the Sirens' song, he could not respond to it, despite having a great desire to do so. Odysseus was seduced, but his constraints kept him from succumbing to the Sirens' Song. It was a clever work-around.
Perhaps you, too, have been tempted and hoped something would hold you back. If so, you will want to spend some time in this week’s scriptures. The theme running through them is temptation and what might happen when nothing and no one keeps you from giving in.
The Genesis and Matthew selections allow us to contrast Satan‘s temptations of Eve and of Jesus. The temptations were similar but definitely tailored to the person being tempted. There were decidedly different outcomes.
The Romans passage describes those outcomes. Eve's fall led to Adam's fall (not that he put up much of a fight). By resisting Satan’s temptations, Jesus paved the way for our redemption. Jesus, in effect, "reversed the curse" resulting from Eve's (and Adam's) sin. We can now be reconciled to God because Jesus resisted Satan's temptations.
The problem with temptation is not the temptation. Temptations are going to come our way. In that sense, neither Eve nor Jesus differs from us. But different people are tempted by different things. I think the real problem is summed up in Psalm 32: "Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you." In other words, we are expected to control ourselves, regardless of the temptation.
But, as we all know, we are not always able to exert that level of control.
In the Hebrews passage, we learn that Jesus was tempted in every way we are, and yet He didn't sin. That's what we should take away this week: not that we don’t sin, but that He didn’t. The things that tempt you—people, foods, gossip, ego, revenge, inappropriate sex, wealth, power, etc.—Jesus not only understands those temptations, but has withstood them. He resisted the siren’s song.
Take your concern to Jesus. He knows what you’re going through. Whatever is tempting you, Jesus is the answer.
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1 Corinthians 10:13 is not in this week’s Lectionary, but a discussion of temptation should include it.
“The only temptation that has come to you is that which everyone has. But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it.”
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Join us Friday morning at DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast. Food, fellowship, scripture, prayer, the occasional "Eureka!" and some of the best laughter you could find anywhere. Now, that is a good kind of temptation!
We start at 8:00 and begin the exodus at 9:00. We meet on Zoom* and at Our Breakfast Place.
Blessings,
Steve
*Zoom link (Zoom allows you to mute the camera and the microphone if you don’t wish to be seen or heard.)
SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY AND THE COMING WEEK
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
First Sunday of Lent (February 22, 2026)
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