Joseph – His Temptations
Joseph is one of the great characters of the OT. The story of Joseph is second only to Abraham in space. God never uses space in the Bible unwisely or without purpose. There must be worthwhile lessons in the life of Joseph.
One of these lessons must be in dealing with temptation. Temptations are common to all of us (1 Cor. 10:13). Temptations are the door through which Satan leads us into sin (James 1:14-15). A Christian must be a victor over temptation. One cannot read the story of Joseph’s life without being impressed with is ability to overcome temptation.
JOSEPH FACED TEMPTATIONS AT HOME (Gen 37:12-36):
We may think that home is a place to be free of temptation, but such is not true. This fallacy is responsible for our giving way to things that we should try to overcome. We decide it does not matter just because we are at home and shut out from the eyes of others.
Some of Joseph’s temptations at home:
A. From his brothers’ jealousy. This always brings temptation to do wrong because of someone else’s jealousy, a husband and wife of others and children of other children.
B. From hate. The Jews hated the Samaritans and the Samaritans hated back (John 4:9).
C. Due to not being appreciated. It is a temptation to give up high ideals when we feel unappreciated. If what we do is not appreciated, it is a temptation to say, “Why try?”
How he overcame this temptation:
1.) His trust in God helped him (cf. Psa. 37:1-3).
2.) He believed God had a place for him (Home is training ground for life’s temptations).
3.) He realized that his attitude and action while young would be seeds that would produce the man in later life.
4.) He believed that his enemies would help bring him to be what God wanted him to be.
5.) He believed that he could count on God because God was counting on him.
HIS TEMPTATION IN EGYPT (Gen 39):
He was tempted when sold into slavery. It would be humiliating to be treated as a slave. It would bring the temptation to become sour on the world, sullen and bitter.
How he overcome this temptation:
1.) He believed that although people change, God’s purpose does not.
2.) He did his work as a slave, not because he was compelled to, but because he believed God had given it to him to do.
3.) He accepted and adjusted. There was nothing he could do about the circumstances, but he could do something about himself.
4.) He believed that the one that honors God will be honored by God.
HIS TEMPTATION IN PROSPERITY (Gen. 39:6):
There is always a temptation in prosperity: to forget God (Deut. 6:12), to feel no need for God (Luke 12:16-21).
How he overcame this temptation:
1.) He was grateful to God for his prosperity.
2.) He saw the hand of God in his promotion.
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HIS TEMPTATION IN POTIPHAR’S HOUSE (Gen. 39:7-20):
Here, he would have temptation to the flesh (Gen. 39:7), temptation to compromise (it could have meant a chance for advancement), temptation to take the easy way out, temptation because he was away from home, temptation because he was lied about and slandered. It is difficult to hold back angry words and not fight back.
How he overcame this temptation:
1.) He recognized the value of character. Though robbed of his coat, he would not be robbed of his character. He could get another coat but not another character.
2.) He recognized the sinfulness of the proposal. He called it by its right name – “sin” (Gen. 39:9). He realized it would be a sin against Potiphar, his wife, and God and others.
3.) He said NO with capital letters.
4.) He fled from it (Gen. 39:13; cf. 2 Tim. 2:22). This is why young people should flee certain forms of dancing, “parking,” bad company, etc. (1 Cor. 15:33).
HIS TEMPTATION IN PRISON – Gen. 39:21-23:
Here, there would be the temptation to distrust God. This is always true when the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer. It is tempting to say, “Why do right anyway? It does not pay.” How often the young, as well as old, feel this way. Some even quit the church.
How he overcame this temptation:
1.) He realized that the good way is not the easy way.
2.) He looked forward, not backward.
3.) He did not judge God by what happened in one day. There is always a tomorrow with God and He always has the last word.
4.) His body was placed under limitations, but not his spirit. He refused to let his spirit be shackled. It is bad to be in prison, but the greatest bondage is to let our spirits become shackled because of circumstances.
HIS TEMPTATION WHEN HE WAS SOLD BY HIS BROTHERS – (Gen. 45):
There was the temptation to get even.
How he overcame the temptation:
1.) He did not let the passing years fill his heart with envy and hatred.
2.) He had practiced forgiving all through his life.
3.) He saw the hand of God in his life (Gen 45:5-8).
4.) He looked at the good and not the mistreatment at the hands of his brothers.
Let us learn from Joseph the varied places and types of temptations and use his formula for overcoming.
the late Wayne Holland
a sermon preached in Bayou La Batre, AL (10/1/78)
Hayesville, NC (1/10/82)
Roxboro, NC (9/18/88)
Henderson, NC (6/14/98)
