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Harry Emerson Fosdick, in his book, The Manhood of the Master. “When Ulysses passed the Isle of Sirens, he had himself tied to the mast and had his ears stopped with wax, that he might not hear the sirens singing-a picture of many a man’s pitiful attempts after negative goodness.
“But when Orpheus passed the Isle of Sirens, he sat on the deck, indifferent, for he too was a musician and could make melody so much more beautiful than the sirens, that their alluring songs were to him discords.
“Such is the Master’s life of positive goodness, so full, so glad, so triumphant, that it conquered sin by surpassing it. Have you such a saving positiveness of loyal devotion in your life?”
How do you handle temptation? Most people usually just grit their teeth and try not to think about it. Of course, that is like telling someone not to think about the color blue. It just doesn’t work. That is why most of us fail. Some people try to be like Ulysses, they tie themselves to the mast of the church with legalistic codes and doctrines and stuff their ears with pious babble. Yet, time after time, they fall just like anyone else. Besides, we weren’t created to be tied to masts, but to live the joyful life of our Master.
So, what do we do? Dr. Fosdick’s quote holds the key. If we would so fill our lives with His life, then temptation would have no room to dwell. Christ has given us a song. Like Orpheus, the music of our own soul drowns out the music of the world. Therefore, we will conquer temptation not because we are strong or superspiritual, but because the song of grace sings in our hearts.
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NLT)
