Joseph: When Life’s a RollercoasterSample

Joseph and Potiphar: How to Triumph Over Temptation

You may be sorely tempted to give up or give in. Joseph, far from home in a hostile culture, was treated unfairly and tempted sexually. Yet he refused to be lured into sin – and we can refuse too.

We’ve all been tempted to make poor choices detrimental to our reputation, relationships, family, or career. And yet we know God has a plan for our lives and He’s faithful, despite our mess-ups. Joseph’s enslavement in Egypt was a drastic downgrade from the life he’d known in Canaan. It looked nothing like the hopes and dreams he believed God had given him. Perhaps you’ve felt tempted to give up in the face of unfair treatment, failure, or abject disappointment. Perhaps you’ve lost all hope for a particular situation or relationship because things just aren’t panning out as you’d hoped. The reason Joseph didn’t give up was because ‘the Lord was with [him] so that he prospered…’ (Genesis 39:2). Dark voices surely whispered to him, ‘It’s over. You’re nothing.’ But God assured him, ‘I’m with you. I’ve got this. Don’t give up.’ Joseph believed God and acted in faith. The dream wasn’t dead, despite the nightmare. The dream also wasn’t realised overnight. It took decades to unfold. But Joseph refused to give up. God is with you too – in your waiting, in the injustice you’ve suffered, in your disappointment.

After overcoming the temptation to give up, Joseph faces the temptation to give in. Joseph’s story in Genesis 39 focuses on sexual temptation, but the principles apply to other forms of temptation too. Of course, sex itself is a wonderful gift from God. Potiphar’s wife, however, isn’t looking for the sacred intimacy and pleasure of covenant marriage. She wants a casual hook-up. The key to overcoming temptation is rejecting cheap pleasures and disordered desires, so we can enjoy the real thing. Joseph demonstrates the Three R’s to fight sin’s enticement: refuse to give in, remember to Whom you belong, and run for freedom.

Joseph was adamant (even aggressive!) in his refusal of Potiphar’s wife. He saw the baited hook beneath the soft touch. Also, he didn’t just fear this woman’s husband. He feared God. He was living for an audience of One, and he wanted to honour God with his actions and attitudes. Potiphar’s wife didn’t get the hint. She kept trying – temptation is persistent. Joseph shows us that sometimes the only thing we can do is run from temptation. Don’t sit on the bed and talk about it – leave the room! Don’t stay online – switch off the screen! Don’t go for a drink – go home! You’ll never regret taking drastic measures to flee temptation.

Let’s dial down the voices that tell us there’s no hope, or that the sin we’re contemplating won’t hurt anyone. Let’s turn up loud the Voice of our God who promises never to forsake us, and who calls us to be light in a dark world. Give God your fears. Ask Him for fresh courage. And be inspired by how Joseph ultimately points to Christ who overcame temptation in the wilderness, died for our sin, and rose again. We live with Resurrection Power! Let’s not give up or give in. Instead, let’s refuse sin, remember God, and run for freedom.