GLEANINGS - GenesisSample

Lessons from the life of Joseph on how to overcome temptations

We notice in this passage of Genesis 39, the characteristics of temptation.

1. The timing. Satan looks for a time when we’re vulnerable. Joseph was far away from home. He was a slave. He was probably lonely. He was also experiencing some success. Temptation is strategically timed for those periods in which we are most vulnerable.

2. The regularity. Verse 10 says, “She kept putting pressure on him day after day” Temptation is a battle that we face daily. It’s a struggle that we’ll live with for the rest of our life. Temptation is persistent. We have to deal with it every single day.

3. The offense to God. Joseph said it would have been deeply offensive to God and his holy standards. When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, he said to God, “Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight” (Psalm 51:4).

We also see the steps that Joseph took to overcome the temptation.

1) He formed his convictions of right and wrong before the temptation. Anticipate temptation. Don’t be surprised by it. Don’t be intimidated by it. Don’t be shocked by it. Instead, be prepared. Joseph must have been aware that Potiphar’s wife had her eyes on him. He saw that trouble was brewing, and when it came out into the open, he had already settled the issue in his mind, “I cannot do this.”

2. He took responsibility for his actions. Joseph said, “How could I…” He didn’t say “Well what could I do? I’m just a slave and she’s the boss’s wife.” He didn’t say “I couldn’t help it.” He didn’t blame the situation. He didn’t blame the devil. He took personal responsibility for his actions.

3. He called sin as SIN. When temptation arose, Joseph responded with the truth. Joseph recognized how her invitation was “wickedness” and “sin” against both his earthly master and his heavenly master.

4. He did not play with sin. Joseph did not flirt with this temptation. We see in verse 10 he not only refused to go to bed with Potiphar’s wife, but he refused to even be with her. He flees! We read in verse 12 that he runs as fast as he can away from that compromising situation.

5. He feared the Lord.“How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9)

The great motive for the Christian in the battle against temptation is that you have come to love God. How did Joseph keep looking up when it looked as if God had let him down? The phrase that begins and ends the chapter is “The Lord was with Joseph” and He gave him success. The reason Joseph was capable of standing up to the onslaught of temptation from Potiphar’s wife is that the Lord was with him.

The most important thing we can do is to ask for God’s help in handling temptation. We are not strong enough to handle temptations ourselves. We need help. We need God to come alongside us and give us His strength.

APPLICATION QUESTION:

How might God be using your temptations to further his story (understanding that, like Joseph, we are in the middle of the story and cannot see the end)?

QUOTE:

Temptation is the devil looking through the keyhole. Yielding is opening the door and inviting him in. Billy Sunday

PRAYER:

Lord, I thank You for showing me how to win the victory over temptations in my life. Help me never to open the door and give in. Amen