Tuesday in Bible Study Sandee taught about temptation using the notorious wife of Potiphar as an example. We can read about her exploits in Genesis 39. As you may remember, Potiphar’s wife attempted to entice Joseph into an adulterous affair, not just once but time after time. Joseph held fast to his convictions. After being turned down once more, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph of attacking her and he is thrown into prison.
Before delving into Joseph’s encounter, Sandee taught us about the actual word ‘temptation’ and how it used in scripture. Many verses that use the English word for ‘tempt’ or ‘trial’ are translated from the same Greek word ‘PEIRASMOS’. Usually when someone is being enticed to evil the word is translated as temptation. When there is a testing present that aims at a spiritual good the word is translated as trials.
How We Are Tempted
Sandee pointed out three ways that Joseph was tempted. These temptations can be found in1 John 2:16, “For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world”.
1. Lust of the flesh: "Come to bed with me!" (Gen 39:7b).
2. Lust of the eyes: Joseph was well built and handsome. Potiphar’s wife looked at him longingly.
1. Lust of the flesh: "Come to bed with me!" (Gen 39:7b).
2. Lust of the eyes: Joseph was well built and handsome. Potiphar’s wife looked at him longingly.
3. Pride of Life: “My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife” (Gen 39:9b).
It is important to remember that temptation itself is not a sin. Even Jesus was tempted. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin” (Heb. 4:15). Sandee compared the temptations that Joseph faced to those that Jesus encountered from Satan.
1. Lust of the Flesh: “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread" (Mat 4:3).
2. Lust of the eyes: “The devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor” (Mat 4:8).
3. Pride of Life: “All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me” (Mat 4:9).
How We Prepare for the Battle Against Temptation
Sandee gave us five ways that we can arm ourselves against the temptations that are sure to come.
1) We need to spend time in the Word of God. This goes beyond a cursory reading of scripture. We really need to know what God says. We need to study His Word. We need to commit it to memory! As Sandee pointed out, we may not have our bibles with us when confronted by Satan. (For those of you joining us in the Bible Memorization Project – keep it up! For everyone else – its never to late to hide God’s Word in your heart!!)
2) Be ready for the battle. It tells us in Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes”. Ephesians 6:13-17 goes on to give us detailed instructions on how we do this.
3) Watch and pray. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (Mark 14:38).
4) Be alert and self-controlled. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
5) Be strong in faith. “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Peter 5:9).
Strategies for Fighting Temptation
When temptation actually comes our way we are not powerless. God tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” We can resist the temptation. Joseph clearly resisted the temptation that Potiphar’s wife presented. In James 4:7 God says “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”. We can run away from the temptation. It says in 2 Tim. 2:22 “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness”.
Sandee noted something significant about Joseph. He resisted. He did what was right in God’s eyes yet he was falsely accused and sent to prison. So what do we do when we face similar circumstances? The answer is found in James. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4). We also know from 1 Corinthians 10:13 that God will show us a way out. Looking at the example of Joseph’s life we see that he lived by faith. He forgave those who contributed to his problems. He trusted God.
“For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. (1 Corinthians 10:13, The Amplified Bible).
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