Deceitful Man in a Deceitful Town

Journey to the Celestial City #44. In our continuing look at John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress,” today we find the man, Christian, listening to Faithful share his pilgrimage story. Having slipped through the clutches of Wanton, he tells of his next confrontation with a man named Adam the first whose dwelling place is the Town of Deceit. Adam the first beckons Faithful to take up residence in his home and offers his three daughters in marriage as part of the package. Faithful can hardly resist the beauties: the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eyes and the Pride of Life. Except for the words: “Put off the old man with his deeds” that he reads on Adam the first’s forehead, he would have stayed. But Faithful is turned to flight. Upon his exiting the first Adam reaches out and would have literally torn off Faithful’s arm he grabs at it so roughly. And the carnal nature is an awful and strong and persuasive parasite that just won’t let go. It will have us to our death if we don’t kill it first. Are you allowing any or all of three “ladies of lust” to live as a bride in your house? “‘If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.'” (Matthew 5:29) “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts.” (Romans 6:12) 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 61-62