A Strange Woman

Journey to the Celestial City #43. In our continuing look at John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress,” today we find the man, Christian, having attained the company of Faithful on the journey, he asks him to share his pilgrimage story. Faithful tells of his relative non-trouble with the Slough of Despond (compared to Christian’s). But then he speaks of an accosting by a strange woman, Wanton, who must needs have him. A picture of Potiphar’s wife, Faithful faces a test at a level like Joseph’s of old. Wanton’s offer includes “all carnal and fleshly content.” How can a man escape such an appeal as this? Here’s a quick prescription for victory against temptation: (1) Call sin what it is; (2) Understand who it is you’re sinning against when you sin: Jesus; (3) Love God so much you’ll never want to do anything to hurt Him; (4) Flee temptation when it lays hold of you. (Watch the following video for more help: Escape From Sin.) “And she caught him (Joseph) by his garment, saying, ‘Lie with me!’ And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside.” (Genesis 39:12) “Her (the adulteress) feet go down to death, Her steps lay hold of Sheol.” (Proverbs 5:5) More to come in the next blog post. Check back soon. (To read this entire blog post series, scroll down to “Pilgrim’s Progress Series” in the left sidebar.) pp 59-61