The Trouble with Temptation

INTRO:

Correction from previous week: Joseph was not Jacob’s last son. Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin not Joseph. Benjamin would have been too young to have participated in the things that happened in Joseph’s life that we discussed last week.

It’s a little funny that I have to make this admission, for tonight’s topic is temptation, and I was definitely tempted to cover over my mistake!

The trouble with temptation is that it happens to EVERYONE! We will all be tempted at times. Even Jesus was tempted! What’s more is that EVERYONE (except Jesus) has fallen to temptation at one point or another.

Discuss the different types of temptation and how deceptive it is. We’ve been promised that there is always a way out of temptation, and I know that all of us would like to learn how to better handle temptation and find that way out.

That’s why tonight’s message is so important. Joseph faced AND OVERCAME temptation. I’m not saying he never gave into temptation in his life, but at least in the example we study this evening, he, by the help and grace of God, overcame.

Scene 1 - Life in Egypt (vs. 1-6)

We don’t know exactly how much time has passed since he was sold in slavery, but let’s just imagine for a few moments what difficulties he must have faced in those first few months or years.

strange people, strange language, strange culture, and the low status of a slave.

However, as I pointed out last week, God was still moving and Joseph landed in the house of Potiphar. Who was Potiphar?

Captain of the Guard - a military man. Tough guy. Powerful and probably educated. NOT SOMEONE TO MESS WITH!!!

But look was happened! Vs. 3 - The Lord was with Him…The Lord have him success. The clear application is that the blessings that followed Joseph came NOT from Joseph himself but from God’s hand of blessing!

Look at some of the successes Joseph had

Increased responsibilities, increased influence, increased trust. Potiphar reached the point that the only thing he cared about what what was for dinner!

We all would like to be blessed by God as Joseph was. But how do we make that happen? As I mentioned last week, God favors or blesses the person who seeks intensely after Him and desired to honor His ways.

While this passage doesn’t show what Joseph was specifically doing to have such a strong relationship with God, what happens next reveals to us the depth of how strongly Joseph was committed to living for God.

Scene 2 - When the tempter strikes (vs. 6b-10)

Vs. 6 tells us something important about temptation. The enemy knows where to strike. It wasn’t Joseph’s fault that he was strong and handsome, but it was going to be used against him.

Vs. 7 - “sleep with me.” Talk about the straightforward approach!

Joseph refuses to give in. He overcomes. But there’s one specific thing that kept him strong in this time. He didn’t want to upset his boss, but he was more worried about upsetting God.

We think we’re the only ones being hurt when we give into temptation, but the fact is that we are grieving God! If we would simply remember that one thing, we would find additional strength when the temptation comes

Also, notice the reality of temptation. Just saying no once doesn’t mean the temptation won’t return. She kept coming after him, day after day. Fighting temptation is an ongoing battle.

Scene 3 - Doing what’s right even if it hurts (vs. 11-20a)

I wish this was a fairy tale where the hero did the right thing and he was rewarded for his high moral character, but this is real life. Joseph was a model for how to fight against sin and temptation and he still ended up in prison.

Let this be a reminder to us that life is not always fair. But how we act when life isn’t fair is what counts. Notice that Joseph didn’t moan and complain or turn from his faith. I’m sure he wasn’t happy and he probably let God know that, but his trust continued. How do we know that? Look at how this ends.

Scene 4 - Life in Prison (vs. 20b-23)

Once again, God blesses and increases Joseph’s work even in prison. God can use you know matter where you are!

For the second week in a row, we leave Joseph is a pretty dark and depressing situation, but yet again we see hope on the horizon. God is still working!