“F is for Forbidden”

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Forbidden fruits create many jams. Driving down the highway recently, I saw those words on a sign. At first I thought it was a cute saying advertising products to spread on toast. Then it dawned on me. The sign was in front of a church and the words were a subtle reminder about what happens when we do things we shouldn’t.

Adam and Eve found out the hard way. After disobeying God’s command not to eat the fruit of a certain tree in the Garden of Eden, the couple found themselves in trouble up to their eyeballs. In an effort to escape responsibility for this first sin, they tried to hide. They started lying. Eve blamed the serpent. Adam blamed Eve. In the end, they had to face up to what they had done and suffer the chilling consequences.

Later on, God set specific boundaries for His people to keep them from getting into jams. These were commandments, mind you, not suggestions. Don’t be disobedient, don’t kill, don’t lust, don’t steal, don’t swear, and don’t covet.

Forbidden fruits are everywhere. Tomorrow when you wake up you will be bombarded with temptations to do all sorts of things you’re not supposed to do. Is it possible to avoid sinning? Sadly, no. Because of your inborn human nature, you will never be free from the temptation to sin.

However, there is some good news to balance the bad. Read the passage above. Do you understand what it means? God allows temptations in your life to test your faith and to give you a chance to demonstrate your love for Him. When faced with any temptation, you always have two choices—to sin or not to sin. God will never allow you to be put in a situation where your only choice is to commit a sin.

When you fail a test, that is, commit a sin and get yourself into a jam, then repent of your sin and believe that God forgives you through Jesus. When you pass a test and avoid sin, know that God has given you the power to do this. The sign, Forbidden fruits create many jams, is a good warning to remember. Also remember that your sins are forgiven by a loving Savior who paid your punishment on the cross.

Daniel Madson is a former school teacher and now a member of Abiding Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin.