When Joseph Resisted Temptation

"...how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9). 

The story of Joseph relates how a young man can be faithful to God, even in the midst of trials and temptations.  When it seemed that nothing was going right in his life, he did not blame God nor turn away from Him.  Having been betrayed by his own brothers and sold as a slave in a foreign land, he could have turned "sour" on life.  But Joseph trusted in God.

When Potiphar's wife "cast her eyes upon Joseph" and sought to seduce him, he stedfastly refused.  There is a strength seen here in Joseph that the world neither understands nor desires.  Instead, such fortitude to do right is mocked at by the wicked:  "...wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you" (1 Peter 4:4). There are four factors that can be noted from this text (Genesis 39:7-18), which contributed to his strength in time of temptation.  Let's consider them...

JOSEPH REMEMBERED THE TRUST PLACED IN HIM BY OTHERS. "Behold, my master knoweth not what is with me in the house, and he hath put all that he hath into my hand" (vs. 8).  There is something powerful, when in the face of temptation to do wrong, you can recall those who have expressed confidence in you to do what is right.  Perhaps it's the memory of loving parents who taught you right from wrong (Ephesians 6:4).   Or, it may be the consideration of a loving spouse who comes to mind, to whom you pledged your fidelity before God.  Maybe it's a close friend, a esteemed teacher, or a respected employer who genuinely cares for you.  Potiphar, who had  entrusted so much to the responsibility  of  Joseph -  how  could  he betray such confidence?  In time of temptation, we would do well to stop and consider the others who will be affected if I yield to commit some sinful deed.

JOSEPH WAS DETERMINED TO DO WHAT WAS RIGHT IN GOD'S SIGHT. In order for something to be counted as "great wickedness and sin", it must be a transgression of God's revealed will.  He has made known his will regarding the sin of fornication and the virtue of moral purity (cf. Genesis 26:10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; 7:2- 5; Hebrews 13:4).  A knowledge of the Bible is of paramount value when Satan entices us to sin.  David declare, "Thy word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psalm 119:11).  Also, Jesus exemplified by His temptations the role a knowledge of truth has when Satan desires to sift us as wheat (Matthew 4:1-11).  What could impress upon us any more a need to study God's word than a consideration of these things? 

But there is a difference between knowledge and faith.  Faith means "trust" - a trust which is based on what we learn of God (Romans 10:17).  There are many people who may "know" a thing to be wrong, but they have no faith to dedicate themselves to a life of service to God.  Joseph's faith was the reason he resisted temptation  (1 John 5:3-4).  He manifested a strong "assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

JOSEPH WAS CAREFUL ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT HE PUT HIMSELF IN.  Of Joseph we read, "And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day be day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her" (vs. 10).  The temptation was not a one-time, isolated incident.  She repeatedly made improper advances toward him.  Joseph's conquest over temptation can be partly attributed to his good judgment in recognizing the importance of one's environment and the responsibility of not placing himself in a compromising situation.

A key element in one's self-control and purity is recognized here.  Faithfulness to God is not only a matter of the strength of my will to refuse evil when faced with it, but also the soundness of my judgment to avoid the confrontation altogether.  If Joseph had allowed himself to be brought face-to-face with this evil continually, he might very well have succumbed to it.  We are admonished:  "But put ye own the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lust thereof" (Romans 13:14).  And again, "abstain from every form of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:22). 

JOSEPH RAN SCARED FROM SIN.  The text reveals that Joseph "fled, and got him out" (vs. 12), leaving his outer garment in her wicked grasp.  The nature of this temptation, because of the power of the sexual appetite, left Joseph with only one recourse - HE RAN!  To have hesitated could have been disastrous. 

The godly will find themselves in situations  that will be very frightening because of the temptations that are there and a knowledge of one's individual weaknesses:  "When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligent y  him  what   is  before   thee; and put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite" (Proverbs 23:1-2).  As with Joseph, so are we warned to "flee fornication" (1 Corinthians 6:18).  We are likewise instructed to "flee" other things as well, i.e., "the love of money" (1 Timothy 6:9-11), and "youthful lusts" (2 Timothy 2:22). 

After noting the various sins of unfaithful Israel, Paul gave us this warning:  "Therefore, let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12).  We must not stare fearlessly into the face of evil when we should be running from it.  May we learn from Joseph's example.
                                                                      - Dan Richardson