德國發生一起竊盜案，有幾個竊賊偷走一輛卡車的冷凍貨櫃拖車，裡面載著超過二十噸的巧克力，據估計價值高達八萬美元。當地警方呼籲，只要發現有人透過非正當管道售賣大量巧克力，必須立即報警。可以確定的是，當這些竊取甜美的巧克力的竊賊被逮捕且被起訴的時候，必會嚐到苦澀又失望的後果！

聖經箴言也印證這個定律：「以虛謊而得的食物，人覺甘甜，但後來他的口必充滿塵沙」（20章17節）。凡以欺騙或不正當的手段獲得的事物，也許一開始看似甜美，令人興奮且能帶來暫時的歡愉。但這滋味最終必會消失，而先前的欺騙，將無法使自己得到滿足，反而陷入困境。內疚、恐懼和罪惡的苦果，終將毀了自己的生活和名譽。第11節說：「孩童的動作，是清潔，是正直，都顯明他的本性。」願我們的一言一行，都能顯明對上帝有一顆純正的心，而不是那會帶來苦澀的私慾。

在遇到試探誘惑時，讓我們祈求上帝賜下能力，幫助我們對祂保持忠誠。上帝能幫助我們看清楚，向誘惑妥協，貪圖短期「甜美」所需要賠上的代價，仔細思考自己的選擇將會帶來怎樣的長期後果。

Thieves in Germany stole a truck’s refrigerated trailer filled with more than twenty tons of chocolate. The estimated worth of the stolen sweetness was $80,000. Local police asked anyone who was offered large quantities of chocolate via unconventional channels to report it immediately. Surely those who stole the massive amount of sweets will be facing bitter and unsatisfying consequences if they’re caught and prosecuted!

Proverbs confirms this principle: “Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel” (20:17). Things we acquire deceptively or wrongfully may seem to be sweet at first—seasoned with excitement and temporary enjoyment. But the flavor will eventually wear off and our deception will lead to our being left wanting and in trouble. The bitter consequences of guilt, fear, and sin can end up ruining our lives and reputations. “Even small children are known by their actions, [if] their conduct [is] really pure and upright” (v. 11). May our words and actions reveal a pure heart for God—not the bitterness of selfish desires.

When we’re tempted, let’s ask God to strengthen us and help us remain faithful to Him. He can help us look behind the short-term “sweetness” of giving in to temptation and guide us to carefully consider the long-term consequences of our choices.