Overcoming Temptation

“How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” Genesis‬ ‭39:9‬

Joseph did not give into the temptations of the seductress. What gave him the strength to resist? First, Joseph had a great sense of ACCOUNTABILITY to God. He knew that he would have to answer to God for the decisions he made and the actions that he took. Where did this sense of accountability to God come from? Secondly, Joseph was in AWE of God. This awe and fear of God in his heart was the outcome of his knowledge of God. Thirdly, Joseph had an AWARENESS of God. When his brothers encountered Joseph years after they had left him in a pit, he was a great ruler in Egypt. At one point they feared that he would take revenge. Joseph responded, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Gen‬ ‭50:19-20‬).

In all circumstances, Joseph had an overpowering awareness of God. He had more than an idea of God, he had a realization of God. And his realization of God was not one that he created in his own mind. His awareness and awe of God was based of God’s revelation of Himself. Fourthly, Joseph, because of his awe and awareness of God, AVOIDED compromising situations. He refused to hangout with the seductress. It’s been said, he that would not fall ought not to walk in slippery places. Lastly, when Joseph could not avoid the seductress, he ABANDONED the scene. When he found himself alone with the temptress, he saturated the place with his absence.

The Apostle Paul wrote to believers, “you are Christ’s” (1 Cor. 3:23). As Spurgeon explained, “You are His by donation, for the Father gave you to the Son; His by His purchase of blood, for He paid the price for your redemption; His by dedication, for you have consecrated yourself to Him; His by relation, for you are named by His name and made one of His brethren and joint-heirs. Labor practically to show the world that you are the servant, the friend, the bride of Jesus. When tempted to sin, reply, "I cannot do this great wickedness, for I am Christ's."
We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37). Cultivate a greater awareness of God and sense accountability to Him by growing daily in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. And let the awesome realization that “you are Christ’s” set you free.

God bless,
Pastor Marco David