Temptation: A Moment Of Choice

About this time, Potiphar’s wife began to desire [Joseph] and invited him to sleep with her. Genesis 39:7

Temptation, particularly sexual temptation, is powerful in the life of any man. Sex is one of the greatest gifts God has given us, but inappropriate use of that gift is also one of the greatest struggles we men face, even when we’re not “looking for trouble.”

Joseph was not looking for trouble; it came to find him. He was busy working when Potiphar’s wife aggressively offered herself to him. She was desperate and willing. She had the time, the motivation, the means, and the authority to protect him, so it was conceivable that he could have gotten away with it.

That is the nature of temptation. At first it appears to be harmless and doable. The problem with temptation, however, is that it causes you to choose between two difficult courses of action.

In Joseph’s case, if he gave in to temptation, he would live under the tyranny of Potiphar’s wife. He would hand her control of his life, and she could demand anything she wanted of him from that time forward. On the other hand, if Joseph refused to give in, she would despise him and make his life miserable.

Once temptation presented itself to Joseph, there was no way he could avoid the struggle between two difficult courses of action. He could either give in and give up control, or he could choose God’s will and suffer the rejection of those who did not value a relationship with God.

The same is true for you. Temptation can be an opportunity to give up control, or it can be an opportunity to endorse God’s value in your life.

Lord, help me remember that you are far more attractive than any temptation.