HomeReflectionsGreek Myths
In his book Enjoying Intimacy with God, J.Oswald Sanders uses two familiar Greek myths to illustrate two ways to view man's walk with God: That of negations and prohibitions, the other of allowing the fullness of God's Spirit to fill every area of our lives so that there is no room for the voice of the flesh in our lives.
When Ulysses and his men set out on their journey of conquest, they were warned by Circe to avoid the sirens at all costs. She told them the sirens' voices were alluring, but fatal to all that stopped to listen. The unfortunate listeners became rooted like a tree and could not tear themselves away, until they died of hunger.
"Fill your companions' ears with wax", she counseled. "If you yourselves want to listen to their song, first let your men bind you to the mast." Ulysses heeded her advice. "If the melody beguiles me," he ordered them, "I charge you, disobey my word, and bend more strongly to your oars."
At length Ulysses heard the beautiful strains that stole into his mind, overpowered his body, and overcame his will. As the music came sweeter and sweeter, Ulysses' love for home weakened. He struggled with his shame, but at last the bewitching voices of the sirens prevailed.
"Loose me and let me stay with the sirens!" he raged. He threatened and entreated; he promised his men mountains of gold with desperate signs and gestures. His men only bound him more securely. He raged and tore at his bonds, for it was agony for him to leave the spot. But not until the last sound of music died out did they loose him. He had passed out of the way of temptation.
Jason and his Argonauts set out in search of the Golden Fleece. Medea warned Jason and his men of the menace of sirens, as they began to hear their bewitching strains. All around they could see the shore strewn with the bones of those who had succumbed to the sirens' charms.
On board the boat was Orpheus, the king of minstrels. "Let them match their songs with mine," he challenged the three maidens whom they could see, and whose silvery voices stole over the moonlit waters.
There were seagulls in long lines and shoals of fish that came to listen. The oars of Jason's heroes fell from their hypnotized hands. Their heads drooped, and their heavy eyes closed.
Then Medea cried to Orpheus, "Sing louder!" Wake up these sluggards!" Orpheus struck his skillful hand over the strings of his lyre, and his voice rose like a trumpet. The music penetrated the sounds of the infatuated men, and their souls thrilled. Orpheus kept on singing until his voice completely drowned the voices of the sirens. Once again the Argonauts took up their oars, and Jason and his men sailed to victory. "Sing the song again, Orpheus," they cried. "We will dare and suffer to the last."
When a believer's life is filled with the Holy Spirit there will be consistent obedience to God in every area of their lives. As a believer yields to God's control, fleshly desires will lose their grip. The discord of disobedience will be replaced by the heavenly harmony that fills the soul with love, peace and joy unspeakable and full of glory!
