Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Genesis 39:8-9 "With me in charge," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"
TEMPTATION IN THE CHRISTIAN'S LIFE
How good are you at it? At standing up to temptation, I mean. How good are you at saying "no" when the devil, the unbelieving world, or your own sinful nature urges you to cross the line and do something wrong?
In the game of baseball, if a hitter is successful just three out of every ten times at bat, he ends up in the Hall of Fame. If you resisted temptation three out of every ten times, would you be doing well? What do you think you could do to improve your average against the devil? Or better, "Who" could help make you more successful against temptation?
Now the Lord had blessed Joseph since his brothers had sold him into slavery. He had gone down to Egypt and found himself serving a man named Potiphar. God so blessed Joseph's work in the house that Potiphar came to trust Joseph with everything he owned and made him overseer of all his things. In fact, "with Joseph in charge, [Potiphar] did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate." God had surely brought Joseph a long way from those dark days when his brothers had first handed him over to strangers. God's grace was upon Him.
And then came the temptation. Potiphar's wife. For she was not satisfied with her own husband, and instead of him she wanted the young and handsome looking Joseph for herself. Day after day she tried to get Joseph to commit adultery with her. Day after day she spoke to him and he refused saying, "How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" Finally when she tried to take Joseph by force, he ran away from her. He successfully resisted the temptation not just once or twice, but many times.
How did He do that? It was really God's doing. God had blessed Joseph's life in amazing ways -- and had led Joseph to realize this. Joseph saw and understood God's love for Him. He appreciated how God had richly blessed him in both spiritual and earthly ways. It was on account of this that Joseph said, "How can I sin against that One!"
It was God's love for Joseph that had given him the strength to resist temptation. Just as God's loves for us helps us to say "no" when the time comes. For isn't it true that each one of you can see and understand what God has done for you? "[He] forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion" (Psalm 103).
The next time Satan comes calling, may God fill your heart with appreciation for all He has done for you. God's love served Joseph well in resisting temptation. It will serve you well too.
