By: Obed Pineda
It has been suggested that legends and myths are not simply fantasized stories told for entertainment, but instead are object lessons purposely hyperbolized so that the listener will not easily forget the instruction. This theory may find some strength if one approaches Greek mythology with it in mind; especially those tales associated with the sea. It is no secret that the sea is simultaneously mesmerizing and frightening, in great part because there is still much about the sea that mankind does not fully comprehend. A modern-day example of this fact are the tales shared by sailors about the mysterious, and infamously feared, Bermuda Triangle (referred to by them as “the Devil’s Triangle” due to ships and aircraft’s allegedly disappearing without a trace or a clue as to why or how it happened). Regardless of whether this is true or not, this present-day example demonstrates that humanity is still cognizant that the ocean is a treacherous place that is not to be trusted. In fact, this is believed to be a primary reason why the sea monsters found in ancient Greek myths are always described in the most hideous and deadly of ways. One of the most dreaded monsters found in the ancient stories of the Greeks were the Sirens on the island of Anthemoessa. Although the physical appearance of these mythical creatures of half bird and half woman would be enough to scare any traveling seaman away, it was their sweet, perfidious song that they were afraid of the most. Legend reveals that when the Siren sung her song, all who heard it would be captivated by it, distracting them from the dangers found at sea. The irresistible beauty of the Siren’s song lured the hypnotized sailor to his own demise. Even though the goal of this hyperbolic instruction is to warn anyone going out to sea not to become too distracted by the ocean’s splendor and forget its perilous nature, it also served as a warning against giving in to a potent urge that will end terribly because the person voluntarily chose to ignore all signs of danger. In other words, the Siren’s song is also an illustration of temptation’s lethal ability to make a man discard all reason for carnal pleasure. Curiously, the wisest man to ever rule Israel similarly portrays sin and folly as a Temptress who has a “flattering tongue of a seductress” (Proverbs 6:24b). Solomon urges his son, “Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, nor let her allure you with her eyelids. For by means of a harlot a man is reduced to a crust of bread; and an adulteress will prey upon his precious life” (Proverbs 6:25-26). It must be stated that in the immediate context, the inspired king is speaking about the perils of committing adultery with his neighbor’s wife (cf. Proverbs 6:29, 32-35). However, as is always the case with Scripture, there are other lessons that can be extracted from these wise sayings, while keeping them within their proper context. Sin is often portrayed by the Holy Spirit as an adulteress woman who seduces human beings to illicitly lie with her, by distracting them from her perfidy (cf. James 1:13-16, 1st John 2:15-17). The Bible confirms as well that when one commits sin, he is guilty of spiritual infidelity against God (cf. Ezekiel 16:31-34, 23:1ff, Matthew 12:38-39). Therefore, the periscope selected from Proverbs can also be applied as a spiritual teaching warning against giving an ear to the crooning call of Lady Lust. In another proverb, Solomon depicts this spiritual Siren seductively suggesting, “‘Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.’ But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell” (Proverbs 9:17-18). It is fascinating to observe that Solomon’s inspired instruction is to ignore Sin’s charming words, for this is what makes her very attractive. Lady Lust uses her flattery by speaking the words that her prey wants to hear to earn his trust and entangle him in her web (cf. 2nd Peter 2:15-19, Jude 12-16). Indeed, one must only bring to mind the example of Samson and how he was “reduced to a crust of bread” by Delilah (cf. Judges 16:4-21). The diligent Bible student will recall that Samson had a notorious habit for falling in love with the wrong woman (cf. Judges 14:1-3). Regrettably, it was this same weakness that ultimately led to Samson’s downfall. Holy Writ reveals that prior to finally achieving Samson to unveil the secret of his strength to Delilah, she had already tried three times to capture and hand him over to the Philistines unsuccessfully (cf. Judges 16:6-14). Scripture records that Delilah “pestered him daily with her words and pressed him, so that his soul was vexed to death, that he told her all his heart, and said to her, ‘No razor has ever come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from mother’s womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man’” (Judges 16:16-17). It is a wonder why Samson would entrust such vital information to someone who had thrice tried to harm him. Holy Writ explains that he did so because he succumbed to Delilah’s deceitful words and essentially chose to love the lie, closing his eyes to the reality of Delilah’s motives. Samson opened his ears to Delilah’s deadly Siren song, and was shipwrecked by his own hubris (cf. Judges 16:20). Samson’s example, in combination with Solomon’s advice, aids us in having a better understanding of the apostle Paul’s reference to the devil as “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2). It is wise to learn that Paul is not saying that Satan has control over the wind, but instead is using figurative language to describe Satan’s influence over sinners (cf. 1st John 5:19). The inspired apostle is illuminating the same threat that the inspired king does so in the chosen proverbs. Paul corroborates this as he urged Timothy, “wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck” (1st Timothy 1:18b-19). It is worth remembering that it was the devil’s enticing influence that caused a man according to God’s heart to arouse Jehovah’s anger by performing an unauthorized action, bred from pride (cf. 1st Chronicles 21:1ff). Thus, it is judicious for us to beware of the Siren’s seductive song seeking to lure us into the depths of hell. When Lady Lust opens her lips to sing, we must be ready to cover her mouth with the sword of the Spirit, allowing God’s rich, potent voice to overpower her instead (cf. Proverbs 6:20-24, Ephesians 6:10-18).