I'm reading J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring to my two older kids. Last night we read the passage in which Gandalf explains the history of the pathetic Gollum as well as story of the One Ring to Frodo. I thought the following description of Gollum's wretched state as a slave to the ring was an apt description of what it's like to be a slave to sin:
"All the 'great secrets' under the mountains had turned out to be just empty night: there was nothing more to find out, nothing worth doing, only nasty furtive eating and resentful remembering. He was altogether wretched. He hated the dark, and he hated light more: he hated everything ,and the Ring most of all."What do you mean?" said Frodo. "Surely the Ring was his precious and the only thing he cared for? But if he hated it, why didn't he get rid of it, or go away and leave it?"
"You ought to begin to understand, Frodo, after all you have heard," said Gandalf. "He hated it and loved it, as he hated and loved himself. He could not get rid of it. He had no will left in the matter." (page 54)
Isn't that what it's like when you're ruled by your sinful desires? (Eph. 2:1) All the promises of sin and illicit pleasure turn out to be "empty night" and the very things you once thought would satisfy you learn to despise. And yet you can't turn away. You have a desire to be free, a desire to do what's right, but lack "the ability to carry it out" (Rom. 7:18).
Without Jesus I am Gollum--calling what is killing me "my precious" and all the while hating myself. Praise be to God that Jesus Christ came to redeem sinners like me. He gave up his life on the cross so that I could be forgiven and freed to know and serve God forever.
10 Comments
Josh, I love that Gollum character. But I love your insight even more: "my precious."
You sound like a good father. Bravo.
Such a vivid (and rather grotesque) picture of what sin does to us. Praise be to God that He has not left us to be destroyed by sin. He has not left us on our own to break us from it either...
Thanks for this reminder, Josh!
Hi Josh,
The analogy is excellent! Thanks for this reminder. I ask permission to borrow this analogy to share it with my small group.
makes me wanna read stories to my little sister as well..inspiring.. =)
Most excellent. I've been anxiously awaiting the day when my son (now only 5 months old) is old enough for me to read him these books, as well as Narnia. Thanks for the reminder of how rich these books are.
I've just finished reading The Hobbit to my 4 year old daughter. It is amazing how children can pick up on certain themes. I've found myself using that story to relate something happening in real life so that she might understand something more clearly. (ie. remember when Bilbo did...Remember when Thorin said...)
Pastor Josh,
For some time i have had this very same image of the character Gollum. I don't say this like, "i was first"... i wanted to thank you for putting it much more concise and clearer than i ever did.
I keep a miniature statue on my desk of Gollum for this very reason. I never want to forget the savagery of sin upon my life.
Thank you for sharing this thought with us.
~ john
As you may recall, gollum dies in the fires of mount doom. That sin can only lead to death, and eternal fire.
I am reading the silmarillion, and I HIGHLY recomend it Josh, that you read it. Its about the creation of the middle earth. It seems you are reading the bible but with different names.
bless you always
-Esther
Such a vivid (and rather grotesque) picture of what sin does to us.
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