Motivated by Consequences

Scripture:
Genesis 39:9, “There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?”

Observation:
Relentless. That’s how I would describe Potiphar’s wife and her attempted seduction of Joseph. Day after day she tried everything she could to break down his resistance. One day he rejected her advances and gave a glimpse into the source of his will power and strength to remain pure. He resisted the temptation because he was keenly aware of the downside — the consequences — the part Satan always seems to skip. Joseph knew he had much to lose in leadership. He had a huge responsibility and oversight of everything in Potiphar’s house. To sleep with the boss’s wife would mean the loss of everything he had been blessed to oversee. His leadership would be lost. Joseph also had much to lose relationally. I think he and Potiphar had a great relationship of trust. Potiphar trusted Joseph with his life … and his wife. To violate that trust would be a great evil and would have destroyed a great relationship with a trusted friend. Joseph also had much to lose spiritually. God had plans for Joseph and Joseph knew it. He remembered the dreams God had given him; he felt the favor of God that spared his life in the pit and elevated him to a significant status in Egypt. He understood clearly that the other two losses are nothing compared to the potential loss of spiritual blessing. To say yes to this woman would be saying no to God. It was evil. It was sin. It was not at all what God wanted. It was not at all what God would ever conceive of blessing.

Application:
Although other cultures, both now and before, have been saturated with sexuality, it seems like America today is about as sex-obsessed as you can get. Affairs seem like an acceptable outlet for a lack of passion at home. The singles scene is just as bad with people swapping partners like they are trying on shoes. Temptation is everywhere, and I’m not above it. I need to be like Joseph and be strong. God wants me to resist the temptation to sexual sin at any level. When tempted I need to remember what Joseph did … namely that after the encounter, when it all comes to light (and even if it doesn’t), the cost is high. I will lose leadership — no doubt I feel the weight of responsibility. God has blessed so much, too much to throw it all away. I will lose relationships — an affair is always deeper than two consenting adults. There are spouses, kids, family members, and friends who are all at stake. People who trust me and believe in me would be wounded… for life. My relationships would never be the same. But above all, my walk with God would be compromised. I know he forgives and never stops loving me — but to say yes to temptation is sin. It’s evil and it’s a violation of the One who has love me and blessed me beyond measure. I don’t want to wound Him, embarrass Him, disappoint Him, or sin against Him.

Prayer:
Father I love you. I truly am thankful and mindful of all your blessings on my life at this moment. I am where I am by Your grace. You have forgiven so much already. You have been so faithful, so patient through these years and in spite of my foolishness. When temptation comes my way, please press on my heart the reality of the high cost of sinning against You. Remind me of my church, the people I love, my wife, my children, my family and friends. Give me sense to see how stupid sexual sin is and how much I stand to lose. Father, I remember what one man said about temptation — that in the moment of temptation, God is quite unreal — and I agree. So I ask You to overrule me if you have to. Kill me if you must. But keep me from sin. Make me like Joseph, strong in you. Make me like Christ — holy and pure. Keep Your hand on me and never let me go. Remove temptation far from me. Deliver me from the evil one. Grant me all I need in You.
 
— Chip Henderson, senior pastor