Genesis 39

Joseph is one of the most honorable men in the bible. He walks away from Potiphar’s wife after her relentless temptation to lie with her. How does he do it so easily? Temptation’s woos are strong and alluring. Us humans are so weak and easily fooled by temptation, how does Joseph not only resist, but resist with such strength?

Galatians 5 helps us when explained, “but I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh” (Galatians 5:16-17). Joseph resists not because he is ultra strong. He resists because he is walking with the Lord. “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9b). 

Joseph’s willingness to pursue holiness points to the future of one day Jesus, fully human and fully the Holy God, will come. He faced temptation in every way as we do, but never giving into sin’s allure (Hebrews 4:14-15). 

“Sin could never say it made Christ’s knees buckle beneath it because an impenetrable holiness kept him upright at all times. Even in the final hours before His death, when He might’ve chosen another will, or another cup to drink, He, as He’d done always placed himself and the wishes of His body under the beautiful will of the Father, showing us all that the body doesn’t have to have the final say in our lives” (Jackie Hill Perry, Gay Girl, Good God). 

Church, we have been saved and kept by the very good God who promises to do so. Where are you believing that you have to give into the flesh? Take time to posture your heart to one of listening to the Spirit of God in you! You are not alone but fully equipped with the Holy Spirit to be given the desires of the Spirit to fight the desires of the flesh.