Do what pleases God 

‘Do what is right.’ Psalm 4:5 NCV 

Day after day Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, but he said no. He gave her no time, no attention, no chitchat, and no reason for hope. ‘He did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her’ (Genesis 39:10 NKJV). When she called, he didn’t answer the phone. When she texted, he didn’t text back. When she showed up, he ‘fled and ran outside’ (v. 12 NKJV). In a culture that uses phrases like ‘consenting adults’ and ‘sexual rights’, we forget how immorality destroys the lives of people who aren’t in the bedroom. Max Lucado writes: ‘Years ago a friend gave me this counsel: “Make a list of all the lives you would affect by your sexual immorality.” I did. Every so often I reread it. “My wife Denalyn. My three daughters. My son-in-law. My yet-to-be-born granddaughter. Every person who has ever read one of my books or heard one of my sermons. My publishing team. Our church staff.” The list reminds me: One act of carnality is a poor exchange for a lifetime of lost legacy.’ Joseph’s primary reason for saying no to Potiphar’s wife was – God. ‘How...can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?’ (v. 9 NKJV). The lesson we learn from Joseph is surprisingly simple: do what pleases God. When a friend offers you a joint of marijuana: do what pleases God. When your classmates show you a way to cheat: do what pleases God. When the temptation to watch pornography is great: do what pleases God. ‘How can I please God?’ you ask. ‘Do what is right as a sacrifice to the LORD and trust the LORD.’ 

Prayer Point:

Lord, You love what’s right and hate what’s evil. Help me to be the same because I want to please You. Help me to stop sin at the threshold before it gets a hold of me. It sometimes feels as though the temptation will go on forever, but You have promised that we will not be tempted beyond what we can bear, but if we are tempted, You will provide a way of escape. Help me, Lord, when I’m being tempted, to look to You for help in that moment. You will never fail me.  

Acknowledgments: Lucado, Max, You’ll Get Through This (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2013), 38-39.