What would you say most people find tempting? Have you ever been made
"an offer you can't refuse?" How do you usually respond in the face of
strong temptation? Would you say you are on guard for temptation at all
times? While the Lord seeks to teach us many things daily, He desires
all of His children to be in constant watchfulness against sexual temptation,
for when lust has dominion, then all sense of right and wrong is parted
with. This is the lesson in which Joseph is now facing, as well as Potiphar's
wife, and the two are certainly found responding very differently as we'll
see in Genesis 39:5-9....
And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his
house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's
house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that
he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in
Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did
eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. And it came to
pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph;
and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's
wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and
he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in
this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee,
because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and
sin against God?
We find that while Joseph was in God's classroom receiving his training
as both a servant and an overseer in Potiphar's house, he was provided
the opportunity to learn how to handle worldly women and strong temptation.
Certainly, this is a lesson every Christian young man with natural instincts
needs in his life! Regrettably, Joseph's master had a godless wife and
in her lust for Joseph, this married woman was coveting one of the holiest
and most attractive young men in Egypt! Joseph's mother was a striking
woman, and no doubt, her son inherited her attractive features. Once Potiphar's
wife cast her eyes upon Joseph, the man her husband preferred above all
others, lust was born as she viewed for herself his prosperity, his power,
and his purity - a very attractive mixture in a man, amen? As she flirted
with the idea of sleeping with Joseph, then it is Potiphar's wife began
to hunt Joseph down as only a temptress would, and present the offer of
herself to him...
Proverbs 6:26b
....and the adultress will hunt for the precious life.
Praise God that this was a proposal that Joseph could and did refuse,
for Divine grace allowed him to flee youthful lusts and follow after that
which would please His Lord!
2 Tim. 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace,
with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Yes, amid the fierce sexual testing presented to him by this determined
temptress, Joseph remained pure. Even though his sense of worth may have
been injured at home, Joseph didn't fall prey to the complimentary advances
of a married woman. In fact, while some men - even Christian men - might
consider this a very flattering and sexually exciting opportunity, Joseph's
estimation of the whole matter was summed up as "great wickedness". His
heart attitude was revealed above even that comment in that he considered
giving in to such an evil temptation "a sin against God." Oh, how the
world needs more young men and women to think this way about sexual temptation!
Ladies, Potiphar's wife had an eye problem - do you?? What are your eyes
focused on today? Do the movies you watch contain sexually explicit or
suggestive content or conversation? What about the books or magazines
you read? What about the conversations you sit in on with other women;
are there any sexual impurities residing in these areas? Consider your
attitude toward all these tempting matters. Do you deem it "great wickedness"
and a "sin against God" like Joseph did, or do you find it stimulating
like Potiphar's wife? We all need to be on guard against the lusts of
our flesh, for wrong desires result in wrong actions…
Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust
of the flesh.
In Joseph's day, Egyptian women were known for their unfaithfulness, but
women who belong to God ought not to have such a reputation. Are you a
faithful wife, dear lady? How on guard are you, really?? Think back on
your recent discussions with the opposite sex. Be cautious, Christian
woman, that you do not exchange flatteries in your discussions with other
men, it is hazardous conversation in which to engage! Are you casting
your eyes in the direction of another man and coveting him? Are you flirting
with the idea of sleeping with someone else? Married woman, do you need
to be reminded that you belong to your husband, as Joseph reminded Potiphar's
wife, and that you should behave as such?? Are there any forms of sexual
impurity present in your life at all? This nameless woman was obviously
unhappily married but she had no legitimate reason to be disloyal in the
face of marital tensions! Today we can be unfaithful and give in to sexual
temptations without ever leaving our homes. You wouldn't be using your
computer to behave like Potiphar's wife behind your husband's back, would
you, dear lady?? Are you guilty of enticing men to sin with you? Are you
approaching them with flattery and hunting them down whether on the Internet
or face to face? If so, God calls you an evil woman and someone to be
seriously avoided. No one who plays with the fire of adultery will go
unpunished!
Proverbs 6:24
To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a
strange woman.
Leviticus 20:10
And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he
that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and
the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
During the peak of his manhood, God was testing Joseph and he passed the
test, he did not yield to sexual temptation. In summary, Joseph refused
the sexual advances of the opposite sex because he would not sin against
his earthly master and he would not sin against God. Instead, he exercised
self-control and remained steadfast and loyal to both, and so must we!
Are there any firm refusals that you need to make today, dear lady, or
have you enjoyed the sexual advancements another man has made toward you?
Do not put off doing the right thing! Too many of God's people have failed
in the discipline of purity, hence they will never become leaders of righteousness.
Before we close, let us get Christ's advice for an adulterous person…
John 8:11
.... neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.
Here in this portion of scripture, Jesus did not condemn the woman accused
of adultery, but neither did He ignore or condone her sin! With her infidelity
open before Him, Jesus told her to go and sin NO MORE. Ladies, if any
form of adultery is what you are guilty of today, this is Christ's advice
to you now! Be done with it - put it behind you! Here stands an offer
we mustn't refuse! The Lord stands ready to forgive any sin in our lives,
but confession and repentance are necessary first, and that means a change
of heart. With God's help, we can accept Christ's forgiveness, stop our
wrongdoing, and overcome the lusts of our wicked flesh. Spiritual unfaithfulness
is just as serious as adultery.... Are we as loyal to God as Joseph was,
remaining completely faithful in the face of temptation, or have other
affections taken His rightful place?
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003