24 Jul W1: JOSEPH ON FIGHTING TEMPTATION
REFERENCE BIBLE VERSES
Genesis 39:7-10 | ”And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.“ (ESV)
1 Corinthians 10:13 | No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (ESV)
OBJECTIVE
To develop a strong and intimate relationship with God that we become so fulfilled in our faith, we are enabled to triumph over even the most persistent temptations.
CONTENT
The Lord Was with Joseph
- Joseph held a steadfast morality all his life. Even when misfortunes befell him, he still led a righteous life that was evident throughout his accounts:
- when his family shunned him for interpreting dreams
- when he was unjustly treated by his brothers out of their own jealousy
- when he was thrown into prison for a wrong he never did
- Joseph recognizes the fact that God’s unwavering favor is upon him. The God who appointed him as a steward to Potiphar–one of King Pharaoh’s ministers–was the same God who brought him out of slavery. Joseph’s faithfulness enabled him to experience God’s presence and confidence in himself, knowing He always had a good, hopeful, and prosperous plan for him (Jer 29:11, Gen 45:8).
- In this sense, accepting the tempting invitation to get intimate with Potiphar’s wife would not only betray his master’s trust but also sin against God. Rather than using mere resistance to fight earthly desires, we should actively remove ourselves from the situation the way Joseph did:
- repeatedly refusing to be around the temptress (Gen 39:10),
- make haste to leave the moment we come into contact with her (Gen 39:12)
- So “flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace” (2 Tim 22:2) to remain useful to the Master, keeping in mind that it was Him who made all the work that we did to prosper in our hand (Gen 39:3).
God’s Triumphing Favor Overcomes Sin and Temptation
- Joseph, a semblance of Jesus in the wilderness (Mat 4:1-11), proved to be a man of his word in the face of temptation. He kept his integrity despite having gone through a lifetime of misfortunes. And so God raised him from prisoner to viceroy, second only to King Pharaoh himself. Eventually, he also found favor with others–reconciliation, even, with his estranged family.
- His strong convictions held that his relationship with God matters above all else. He draws near and holds firmly to the faith because he knew our high priest empathized with all of our human weaknesses (Heb 4:14-16).
- To be able to find grace in times of need, let’s approach God’s throne with full confidence in our Lord Christ Jesus, never settling for even “a little” sin that removes us from the faithful one. There is no earthly pleasure too great that is worth losing God’s favor over! (Mark 8:36)
REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTION
- Of all the temptations you face, which one is your strongest temptation?
- Why do you think God doesn’t remove or eliminate temptation from our lives? What value do they have in our spiritual growth?
- If you haven’t already, how do you plan on pursuing intimacy with God?
REFERENCES