Good description below by Ron Wendth of temptation’s seduction. After hearing Ms. Hemphill’s regrets and testimony over her involvement in the actions of January 6,2021, I have reflected on the diverse ways in which individuals have perceived and responded to their own involvement.
When embodied evil, as exists in anyone influenced by desires arising from seeing an opportunity to serve oneself, acts on that self-serving impulse the result is sin. Shame and guilt in one’s own heart is the natural outcome. It is not necessarily the exposure to evil influence alone, though curiosity that leads to failing to avoid exposure to evil influence is one’s first act in that direction. It is the desires in an individual’s heart, that lead to the response to the exposure that determines the further responses and the nature and depth of the sin. Be clear. All responses contrary to God’s desire are sin. So the degree and depth are irrelevant. Sin begun is potentially sin run rampant. No doubt for
some enticed by blindness, ignorance, or curiosity, there will be “a line too far” that causes great harm and great regret. However, when one heeds the warning of the Holy Spirit and removes herself from the exposure, stopping the process, she has exercised discernment and wisdom. If she moves forward in forward further in response to her desires, she moves further forward in defiance of the Holy Spirit. How far will God permit one to go in pursuit of fulfilling her own desires? As far as it takes for her to realize that she’s made a mess of the situation, primarily from the perspective, again, of her own self interest. Consequences can fall heavy upon the shoulder and cause profound regret.
Fortunately, when one, in her spirit, mind, heart, and conscience (in her soul, in other words,) has awareness of God and recognizes the points of departure from God’s will and desires, confesses, repents, and seeks to make amends to God and others, God is merciful and forgiving.
Consequences may be mitigated, certainly to the extent that one can be restored in relationship to God. Though some consequences otherwise may permanently remain. Overtime, however, there may even be good, redemptive results that come from God’s further work in the midst of those circumstances, too, as one continues faithfully in seeking God’s will and desires.
I have no doubt that Ms. Hemphill has regrets about her participation in Jan 6. Similarly, I believe she is a person of conscience, integrity, and personal responsibility. I cannot judge her desires and motives that led her to be there that day, nor what her expectations were in terms of outcomes. Nor do I have any knowledge of her specific actions that day. I do believe there were many people who succumbed to actions in response to questionable desires based on purely self-interest based motives on all sides. Opportunities to leverage personal agendas were rampant in all ranks, it is being revealed. Satan had a field day. A lot of people got hurt who came there with little more than curiosity, zeal, and naievete.
People-using is a deeply rooted ethic in the culture of self-interest that abounds. Structure, boundaries, policies, precendent, laws, and self-discipline are all intended to set limits on people-using-people so that values of justice, fairness, honesty, integrity, etc. can thrive. When the values in common have been trampled snd list their integrity, the structures’ purpose is no longer recognized and the self-interest ethic is manifest to the max in all parties involved. History will write the epitaph of Jan 6.
Alexander Sohlzenitzen offers us perspective when he wrote these words in The Gulag Archipelago “It is only when I lay there on rotting prison straw that I sensed within myself the first stirrings of good. Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, not between classes, nor between political parties either, but right through every human heart – and through all human hearts.”
I have shared the post, Exiled, about the feeling of being exiled, oppressed, and the struggle with the tension. This blogposts arose during the fierce struggle within the UMC prior to disaffiliation. It’s not unlike what many have felt in recent years as we’ve watched the division played out in government in the actions of political parties and their leaders. It is why, it seems, more and more people are choosing the way of “Independent” in political arenas and “nones” in religious arenas.
Here is Ron Wendth’s thoughtful reflection on temptation:
The Seduction in Proverbs 7 vs. The Seduction in Eden
(A psychological, spiritual, and narrative comparison)
- Both begin with proximity to danger
• Proverbs 7: The young man “passes along the street near her corner… at twilight.”
• Eden: Eve lingers near the forbidden tree.
In both stories, the downfall begins before the conversation. The first sin is being near what God said to avoid.
Key parallel:
• Temptation begins with misplaced curiosity.
- Both tempters use flattery and emotional appeal
• Proverbs 7 woman: Uses praise, attention, sensuality, and emotional warmth.
• Serpent: Uses affirmation (“You will not surely die… you will be like God”), appealing to Eve’s desire for wisdom and significance.
Neither tempter begins with rebellion. They begin with affirmation, attention, and emotional validation.
Key parallel:
• Temptation often feels like being understood.
- Both tempters contradict God’s word
• Proverbs 7: “I have peace offerings… I came out to meet you.” She reframes sin as safe, even religious.
• Serpent: “You will not surely die.” He reframes disobedience as harmless.
Both temptations involve reinterpreting God’s boundaries to make sin seem harmless or even beneficial.
Key parallel:
• Sin always requires a new narrative.
- Both temptations appeal to the senses
• Proverbs 7: Perfume, soft linens, beauty, touch, atmosphere.
• Eden: “The tree was good for food… pleasant to the eyes… desirable to make one wise.”
The Bible is showing that temptation is sensory, not merely intellectual. It bypasses reason and goes straight for desire.
Key parallel:
• Temptation is embodied before it is rationalized.
- Both temptations promise a secret, elevated experience
• Proverbs 7: “My husband is not home… come, let us take our fill of love.”
• Serpent: “You will be like God… knowing good and evil.”
The promise is the same: You can have something special, something forbidden, something that makes you more.
Key parallel:
• Temptation whispers that you deserve more than God has given.
- Both victims underestimate the consequences
• Proverbs 7: The young man follows “like an ox to the slaughter.”
• Eden: Eve eats, Adam eats, and only afterward do they see the devastation.
Temptation hides the cost. The Bible shows that sin is always over‑promised and under‑explained.
Key parallel:
• SIN BLINDS BEFORE IT BINDS.
- Both stories end with spiritual death
• Proverbs 7: “Her house is the way to Sheol.”
• Eden: “In the day you eat of it you shall surely die.”
The prostitute’s house and the forbidden tree are both gateways to death, not because of the object, but because of the rebellion they represent.
Key parallel:
• The end of temptation is always separation from God.
Posted by Ron in Seedbed.com Wake Up Call on Facebook, 2/7/26
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