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Let’s be honest—temptation isn’t a fun topic. It often drags old guilt and shame to the surface. But if we avoid the conversation, we miss something vital. When we’re honest with God and others about our struggles, the enemy loses his grip.

The truth is, every temptation is an opportunity. It’s a chance to trust God more deeply and to grow in spiritual strength. It’s through these moments that our trust in God deepens and our faith grows stronger. Facing temptation isn’t just part of the journey—it’s how we grow into the life God calls us to live.

Consider What the Bible Says

When we first meet Joseph in Genesis 37, he’s just seventeen. Not long after receiving that famous coat from his father, he’s betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery—likely still in his late teens.

He ends up in Egypt, working for Potiphar, a high-ranking officer in Pharaoh’s court. Despite the pain of his circumstances, God’s favor was with Joseph. Potiphar noticed, giving Joseph more responsibility and trust. But even this early promotion was just a glimpse of what God had in store.

Joseph’s life wasn’t easy—it was filled with tests and temptations. But his steady faithfulness, even in small things, echoed the truth Jesus would later teach: those who are faithful with little can be trusted with much. Jesus communicates this in Luke 16: Luke 16:10 (NLT): “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”

Temptation Often Comes in Seasons of Success

After being sold by his brothers, Joseph was taken to Egypt and bought by Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. But even in slavery, God was with Joseph. Everything he touched seemed to succeed, and Potiphar noticed. So he put Joseph in charge of his entire household, and life there flourished.

But then things took a turn. Potiphar’s wife tried repeatedly to seduce Joseph, but he refused every time, saying it would be a betrayal of both Potiphar and God. One day, when no one else was around, she grabbed his cloak and again tried to tempt him. Joseph ran—but she kept his cloak and used it to falsely accuse him of assault.

Potiphar believed his wife and threw Joseph in prison. Even then, God didn’t abandon him. Joseph found favor with the prison warden, who soon put him in charge of the other prisoners. And just like before, everything Joseph did prospered—because God was still with him.

Genesis 39:1–7 (NLT)

When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.

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.

From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished.

So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!

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.

Temptation doesn’t wait for a crisis. Just when things seemed to be going well for Joseph, he faced one of his greatest tests—Potiphar’s wife set her sights on him.

It’s easy to think that God’s favor shields us from temptation, but often the opposite is true. When we’re thriving spiritually, the enemy works harder to pull us off course. Joseph’s story reminds us: even in seasons of success, we must stay alert. Temptation can come knocking when we least expect it.

Temptation Is Not a Sin, but Indulging in It Is- it's what we do with it that matters.

Read: Genesis 39:8–12 (NLT)

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.”

She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.

One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work.

She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.

Joseph’s battle with temptation wasn’t a one-time event—it was relentless. Potiphar’s wife kept pressing him, even escalating her advances to physical pursuit. But Joseph didn’t cave. He stayed rooted in integrity, loyal to his master, and most importantly, mindful of God.

Temptation may come uninvited, but surrendering to it is a choice. Joseph chose to fight. He set boundaries, avoided compromise, and when things got intense—he ran. That’s what real resistance looks like. He didn’t win by being passive; he fought with wisdom, courage, and a deep reverence for God. And that’s how we overcome too.

Rejection and Suffering Can Accompany Temptations

Read: Genesis 39:13–23 (NLT)

When she saw that she was holding his cloak and he had fled, she called out to her servants. Soon all the men came running. “Look!” she said. “My husband has brought this Hebrew slave here to make fools of us! He came into my room to rape me, but I screamed. When he heard me scream, he ran outside and got away, but he left his cloak behind with me!” She kept the cloak with her until her husband came home. Then she told him her story. “That Hebrew slave you brought into our house tried to come in and fool around with me,” she said.

“But when I screamed, he ran outside, leaving his cloak with me!”

Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her.

So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained.

But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.

Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison.

The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.

Joseph did everything right—yet still ended up in prison. Potiphar believed his wife’s lie, and just like that, Joseph’s world turned upside down. From trusted leader to prisoner, all for choosing integrity.

But here’s the powerful truth: even when things didn’t turn out fair, God never left him. God’s favor followed Joseph into that prison cell. The world may punish us for doing what's right, but God sees—and honors it. When we resist sin, even at great cost, we gain something deeper: God's trust, presence, and unshakable love.

Did You Know?

In ancient Egypt, a slave accused of attempting to rape a master’s wife would have been executed immediately. That didn’t happen to Joseph. This either reflects Potiphar’s deep respect and affection for Joseph, or his suspicion that his wife wasn’t telling the whole truth.

Also, Joseph was placed in the prison for Pharaoh’s prisoners, not a common slave prison. This implies Potiphar had serious influence—and that he showed remarkable mercy toward Joseph in a culture that would’ve demanded blood.

Reflect

God Helps Me with Temptation

In today’s culture, resisting temptation feels almost countercultural. We live in a world that chases pleasure and rarely questions the cost. Giving in is seen as natural—expected even. But as followers of Christ, we know the damage sin can cause.

Yes, choosing integrity can lead to rejection or unfair treatment. But the consequences of sin are far greater. And here’s the unexpected gift: temptation is also an opportunity. Every time we resist, our faith deepens. And when we stand firm—especially when it’s hard—people notice. Our response becomes a witness. It points to something greater. Someone greater. And in that moment, our obedience opens the door to share the hope we have in God.