The bitter sweetness of error

“Stolen water is sweeter; stolen bread is more delicious” (Proverbs 9.17).

Back in earlier days, “stealing watermelons” was a risky yet exhilarating experience. I was told – obviously it was the custom of other boys since I was such a pious young man – that there was nothing quite like it in the world; tasted scrumptious, the moon beamed its approval, and you had something to brag about. What is it that makes the unlawful so intriguing! There is no fun in washing dishes or going to bed on time. But if it’s just a little bit naughty . . . that catches one’s attention.
       Everyone knows that if you cheat, in time you’ll probably get caught – if not now, then later. We know that if a person begins a little relationship with a neighbor’s wife/husband they’ll have to pay for it one way or another. The explanation for doing what turns out to be against one’s own benefit lies in the Garden Story (Genesis 3) where the fruit of the forbidden tree looked so good. What would it hurt if they just tasted it? So they did and as surely as B follows A, result followed cause. God had told them not to eat of the tree: Satan suggested that God’s advice was self-serving and argued that “stolen water is sweeter.” So, of course, they took the exciting option and “stole” the fruit because isn’t stolen fruit “more delicious?”
       Mature believers know you can’t put anything over on God. They’ve tried it many times but it’s never worked out. Yet the appeal lingers and that is because the old nature lingers. Why is it that the Holy Spirit can’t seem to control our fallen nature? Of course, he can, but we have to allow him. Sanctification continues at the rate we allow it. The problem is that in reality we tend to repeat the Garden decision in so many ways. When tempted, we all too often respond on the basis of its appeal. Bad decision. Decide on the basis of what God has said (through scripture) plus common sense informed by God’s active presence though our conscience. Quit trying to resist it on your own; let God do it through his Spirit.
       When I write on human nature, I always feel a little down. It is genuinely too bad that Adam sinned. But there is also a bright side. God wants to use every testing period as an opportunity for growth into his likeness. He has an eternal banquet prepared for those who would rather be with him than continue to “steal watermelons.”