Preached @ Metro 22nd January 2006 by Jeff Williams

Narnia on the surface was beautiful – snow covered landscape. But Narnia is at war! A land under siege.

This depicts the world we live in, many wonderful things, but deep down there is something else going on, we live in a world at war, a spiritual battle, with effects showing in the natural world around us.

1 John 5:19 - We know that we are children of God (sons of Adam, daughters of eve), and that the whole world around us is under the power and control of the evil one.

The person at the centre of this war in Narnia is the white witch!

Made to look beautiful and attractive.

"A great lady, taller than any woman that Edmund had ever know. Her face was white, not merely pale, but white like snow or paper or icing sugar, except for her red mouth."

Someone had said to me, the movie wasn’t very dark. This was deliberate as the white witch represented Satan.

The bible says in 2 Cor 11:14 that Satan comes as an angel of light. Very deceptive, and seductive.

Temptation

Edmund was offered more Turkish Delight and even a position, as King, if he did the witch's bidding.

Definition - Webster’s Dictionary tells us that temptation is "the act of enticement to do wrong by the promise of pleasure or gain."

Edmund fell under the witch’s spell. Let’s look at some things we can learn about temptation from this story.

#1 – Sin is really appealing when we are weak. When Edmund entered into the wardrobe, he wasn’t in the best frame of mind, he was already grumpy and unpleasant.

#2 – Sin appears as what you want. The White Witch asked Edmund this question: "What would you like best to eat?" What do you want? The only sins that really tempt us are the ones that offer what we want.

Some say "the devil made me do it".

James 1:14-15 - Temptation comes from the lure of our won evil desires. These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death, So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.

#3 – Sin clouds your judgement. When Edmund started eating, he started talking, and what he said put his family and their friends in great danger. He didn’t notice how eager she was to meet his brother and sisters. Sin made Edmund not see clearly, and he lost common sense because of it.

#4 – Sin lies about your importance. The White Witch said Edmund was the cleverest and handsomest boy she’d ever met.

Sin loves to say you are the most important person you should think of.

#5 – Sin’s pleasure doesn’t last long. From the story "At last the Turkish Delight was all finished and Edmund was looking very hard at the empty box and wishing that she would ask him whether he would like some more." Edmund quickly ate it all, and immediately wanted more.

What bait can Satan use to trick you up, and lead you astray? When you become aware of Satan’s schemes aimed at you, you will be better able to fight against them.