WEDNESDAY September 24, 2025
Overcoming Temptation
“How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
Genesis 39:9
Joseph, the son of Jacob, endured times of testing. He was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. His father was told he was dead. In Egypt, Joseph became a servant to Potiphar. The Lord was with Joseph and blessed the house of Potiphar so much so that he made him overseer of his entire property and gave him authority over all that he had (Genesis 39:1-6).
Joseph was handsome. The wife of Potiphar began tempting him to lie with her, but Joseph refused. He wanted to keep his integrity before his master who had entrusted him with everything. Finally, he said, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). Dissatisfied, she daily pestered Joseph to be with her.
This seductive woman set a trap for Joseph. When her husband was gone on a journey, she made sure to send out from the house all the other servants. She was ready for him. Perhaps she was lying on her bed, and when Joseph came in, she jumped up and aggressively grabbed him and pulled him onto the bed. Joseph was a young man, perhaps as young as 18 years old, at the peak of his sexual drive.
The Bible tells us that when she grabbed Joseph’s garment, he stood up and actually started running out of the house, naked! She had literally ripped off his clothes! Not too many 18- year-olds would resist that kind of temptation! But Joseph feared the Lord. He passed the test!
We all have a free will. We can choose to sin or not to sin. In times of temptation, the Word of God becomes a guard against sin. Psalm 119:11 tells us: Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Do you hide God’s Word in your heart? Having a fear of the Lord will also help you overcome temptation: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7). Do not be a fool; fear God and do not give in to temptation.
Temptation is the devil looking through the keyhole. Yielding is opening the door and inviting him in.
~Billy Sunday~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
