Narnia: Ten Tasty Tidbits About Turkish Delight Series

Sin was ready to pounce on Cain because he was holding on to bitterness. It’s no wonder that Psalm 4:4 says, “In your anger do not sin.” Because when we are angry, or weak, or tired, or frustrated, or lonely, that’s when sin seems the most appealing to us. Recognize this in your own life. Notice when you are the most vulnerable, and be alert.

Tasty Tidbit #2 – Sin clouds how evil evil really is. At first Jadis was very rude and cruel to Edmund. Then, all of a sudden, she changed her tone, and became very nice to him. And though he noticed the change, he didn’t seem to question why. And once the Turkish delight arrived, he threw off all inhibitions. You see, he couldn’t see how evil she really was.

Sin clouds reality. Sin makes things look not nearly as harmful as they really are. I’m of the opinion that Judas didn’t really think he was going to wind up killing Jesus. I think Judas thought Jesus was the Messiah, and Judas was just trying to force Jesus’ hand to act against the Romans. And although Judas was dishonest, I don’t think he meant for Jesus to die. But he listened to the wrong voice for too long, and sin clouded his view of how evil his betrayal would be. Sin clouds how evil evil really is.

Tasty Tidbit #3 – Sin appears as what you want. Jadis asked Edmund this question: “What would you like best to eat?” What do you want? The only sins that really tempt us are the ones that offer what we want. If we want company, sin can offer us ways not to be so lonely. If we want money, sin can offer us ways to get or keep it. If we want power, sin can offer us ways to rise to the top.

Bryan Duncan sang many years ago, “Whatever makes you stumble will be your only test.” Simon the magician in Acts 8 wanted the Holy Spirit because he liked power. He saw the Holy Spirit as a further way to make money and be famous. He didn’t care about grace or ministry or responsibility. All he wanted was power, and he was willing to pay for it. And he missed the point because of it. Sin shows up as what you want.

Tasty Tidbit #4 – Sin clouds your judgement. When Edmund started eating, he started talking, and what he said put his family and their friends in great danger. He didn’t notice how eager she was to meet his brother and sisters. Sin made Edmund not see clearly, and he lost common sense because of it.

I think often of David, who stayed at home where it was easy, instead of going off to war, which was his responsibility. He saw Bathsheba, and wanted her. He committed adultery with her, and then had her husband killed to cover it. Clearly, he lost common sense way back, and made a series of bad judgements. Listen: when a person is overcome by sin, don’t expect good judgement from them. They just want to survive.

Tasty Tidbit #5 – Sin’s pleasure doesn’t last long. Let me quote p37-38 of LWW: “At last the Turkish Delight was all finished and Edmund was looking very hard at the empty box and wishing that she would ask him whether he would like some more.” Edmund quickly ate it all, and immediately wanted more. Like drinking seawater to quench your thirst, it just didn’t satisfy for long.