By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.
(Hebrews 11:24-26 NIV)
I was watching a video about how obeying Jesus leads to joy. In it, the pastor highlighted the phrase “the passing” or “fleeting pleasures of sin” found in Hebrews 11:25. I want you to be as encouraged by this little phrase from the Bible as I was.
This short description of sin given to us in Hebrews 11:25 is actually a powerful weapon against temptation. God describes his Word, the Bible, as a sword, that we use to oppose our spiritual enemies (Ephesians 6:17). When we are faced with temptation to sin, recalling these five words from the book of Hebrews may be the very sword thrust that will silence temptation for us.
To understand why these words are so helpful, let’s consider two things these five words reveal to us about sin.
1. Sin Often Does Result in Immediate Pleasure
First, this phrase communicates that sin brings us pleasure. Sin is often easier, less costly (initially), and more comfortable than doing what is right. In other words, sin feels good in the moment that you do it.
We are naturally inclined to sin. To say no to sin goes against our nature and our desires. In understanding that sin often looks and feels good, we are given a clue into the nature of evil and saved from a dangerous type of naivety.
We may be inclined to believe that because sin is evil—an offense against our good God—it will be hard for us to give in to, unappealing, and repulsive. But the Bible gives us a gentle warning we very much need—sin is far more seductive than that, for it often comes with the promise of pleasure.
Lying feels better than telling the hard truth. Following our passions feels better than self-control. Lashing out in rage is much easier than holding our tongues. Cheating is easier than studying. Fornication is far easier than “waiting until marriage.”
And so, the Bible warns us that we will be enticed to offend God, hurt our neighbors and ourselves, not only through obviously wicked means, but through seemingly desirable means. Knowing this can make us more vigilant against temptation. Sin won’t appeal to us with a list of its consequences but with a list of its pleasures.
2. Sin’s Pleasures are Fleeting
How do we respond to such a strong enticement? Well, we find one answer to this question in the same five words in Hebrews. At the same time, we come to the second thing we learn about sin from Hebrews 11:25—the pleasures that come from sin are fleeting.
Yes, sin feels good, but as soon as the pleasure comes, Scripture says that the pleasure flees. And the rest of the Bible’s testimony reminds us that the pleasures of sin are quickly replaced by the wages of sin—death (Romans 6:23). God has written his law and ordered his universe such that the consequence for sin is death, whether now or in eternity, whether physically, spiritually, emotionally, or relationally.
Adultery may feel good for a night, until it destroys a person’s family and relationships. Cheating may feel good for a weekend, until you get caught, lose a scholarship, or struggle in college classes. And the examples could continue. Saying yes to temptation now might feel good, but the Bible tells you that the “feel good” of sin is fleeting. And the consequences are always deadly.
What a blessing the Bible tells us about “the fleeting pleasure of sin,” and so arms us against temptation.
Say No to Sin Today, Armed with God’s Word
Where are you tempted to ignore the Word of God and go your own way? Where are you tempted to do what you know to be wrong? What pleasure is that sin offering you? And have you thought about whether that pleasure is worth it?
In the greatest act of love, Jesus suffered death on a cross so that we might be set free from the power of sin. But then he rose from the dead, conquering death, and setting those who trust in him free from its power so that they might obey God from the heart. If you have recognized your need for a Savior, and put your faith in Jesus, you have power to say no to the fleeting pleasures of sin (Romans 6:6-16)!
And if you have never trusted in Jesus, and are weary of being enslaved to sin, always giving in, today, Jesus offers you rescue. Call on his name, confessing your need for him, and he will not only cleanse you of your sin, but give you his Holy Spirit to enable you to resist temptation (Romans 10:13; 1 John 1:9).
Today, take up and believe these words of God in Hebrews 11:25. Yes, it will feel good to give into sin, but only for a moment. Sin may be pleasurable in the moment. But the pleasures of sin are fleeting. May God’s Spirit and his Word infuse you with faith to choose to obey God’s Word. May you trust that obeying him, though perhaps less pleasurable now, will lead to lasting joy.