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The Turkish Delight Syndrome

In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Edmund was easily won over to the side of darkness by the wicked white witch. Her method was simple—she appealed to his love for rich, sweet food, as well as for status and revenge. The Turkish Delight she offered him was delicious, and it left him craving even more. So strong was its appeal that it led him to betray his brother and sisters.

The appetites of the world and the flesh are powerful and addictive tools of the devil. He appeals to our love for what satisfies our selfish and sinful desires and uses it to tempt, control, discourage, defeat, and destroy us. We crave power or money or food or alcohol or clothes or sex, even though we are in danger of sacrificing our friends, our loved ones, and even our relationship with our Savior to satisfy our desires.

How can we resist the temptations of Satan? Paul said, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16). He also wrote, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Rom. 13:14). And John said, “Do not love the world or the things in the world” (1 John 2:15).

Put on the Lord and walk in the Spirit. That’s how to break the power of the Turkish Delight syndrome. — David Egner

When temptation’s darts assail us,
When in devious paths we stray,
Let Your goodness never fail us,
Lead us in Your perfect way. — Hastings

God provides the armor to withstand temptation, but we must put it on.