Temptation

Temptation

My Question for God

How does knowing my weaknesses make me strong against temptation?

A Moment with God

The LORD was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the LORD was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. . . . Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded. But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

Genesis 39:2-4, 6-9

Isn’t it interesting that Joseph was tempted with one thing he didn’t have—a relationship with a woman. His brothers had stripped him of everything when they sold him into slavery—family, possessions, status. But he had remained faithful to God and regained good living conditions and authority in Potiphar’s house. Yet he must have been lonely, and that is exactly where Satan struck, with the temptation to ease that loneliness.

Joseph was able to refuse the advances of Potiphar’s wife because he knew why, when, and how to say no. He had determined to live a godly life in Egypt, even though no one back home would know. The pressure you may feel from the temptation to sin can best be handled by acknowledging sin as sin and determining to stand firm in your commitment to God before temptation knocks on your door. Standing firm may mean avoiding areas of temptation and even physically fleeing from compromising situations. Always be aware that Satan strikes where you are weakest. That’s why it’s important to recognize where you are vulnerable so that you will not be ambushed by temptation. If you are watching for it and praying for the strength to resist it when it comes, then, like Joseph, you will be well prepared to say no.

Divine Promise

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

1 Corinthians 10:13