Genesis 39:9: "There is none greater in this house than I;
neither has he kept back anything from me but thee, because by art his wife:
how can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"
A new Christian should expect to have many temptations.
Some new Christians feel that temptations will never again be a problem
because they have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
But nothing could be farther from the truth.
There will always be temptations to the Christian.
They may vary as in type and scope, but they will never leave us us alone.
In the house of Potiphar, the captain of the Egyptian guard, Jacob son, Joseph,
faced and overcame the temptations that were thrown at him.
As we look at the experience of Joseph, we'll find some truths which will help us
to overcome the temptations that we face.
First, we must realize that temptations are not sinful.
If Satan can make you feel that your temptations are sinful,
then he is well on his way to defeat you in your spiritual life.
Joseph did not sin because he was tempted by Potiphar's wife.
Temptations are not sinful because they're not wrong.
One truth we often fail to realize about temptations is that although they might lead to sin,
they are not wrong in themselves.
Temptations are generally a perverted use of some good, God-given desire.
No one is immune from their attraction.
Jesus was tempted like us, but without committing sin or doing wrong.
Temptations are not sinful because they are not signs of weakness.
Joseph was not spiritually or morally weak because he had temptations.
Neither are you.
Just because Satan tries to convince you otherwise, do not accept his lies.
Remember what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:13: "There hath no temptation taken you
but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted
above that ye are able; but with the temptation also make a way to escape,
that ye may be able to bear it."
We must also understand the purpose of temptations.
Satan has some well-defined goals in mind when he tempts one of God's children.
One of his purpose is to destroy your influence.
As the slave of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, Joseph was surrounded by pomp and luxury.
Joseph was given a high position of trust and responsibility by his master.
Genesis 39:3, 4 says, "And his master saw that the Lord was with him,
that the Lord made made all that he did to prosper in his hand."
A great influence for God would have been destroyed if Joseph had surrendered
to the invitation and temptation of Potiphar's wife.
The course of history probably would have changed if Joseph had not understood
the purpose Satan's temptation.
Another purpose of Satan in tempting us is to ruin our lives.
Satan does want to ruin the lives of everyone of the followers of God.
The experiences of Joseph have been repeated over and over.
From his sad, personal knowledge, Paul wrote in 1 Peter 5:8:
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
He does this by getting us to ignore and reject the commands of God.
He does this also by getting us to live only for ourselves.
In the third-place, we must recognize the power of temptation.
God may test people, but He never tempts them to sin.
Satan tempts people to sin.
He is the source of power behind all evil temptations
Satan has the power to deceive.
Satan is the master of deception, and he is always seeking to deceive the Christian
through temptation.
Satan never wants us to know the final results of his purpose
With Joseph, he tried deception by making the temptation totally unexpected.
He repeated it daily, and made it look like a favorable opportunity and a personal gain.
Satan has the power to mislead.
From the day that he misled Adam and Eve, Satan has been using his misleading powers
in temptation to deceive many.
Satan also misleads by giving misleading information.
He misleads also by making misleading promises.
As Christians we must claim the victory.
Temptation and Satan can be defeated and conquered.
Satan is a powerful and a knowledgeable foe, but he is not all-powerful nor is he all knowing.
As Christians, we can have victory through Jesus Christ.
Since the triumph of Jesus Christ on the cross, Satan has been a defeated enemy.
Jesus has given to every believer this victory over Satan.
He has done this through His death.
He is continuing to give us victory through His intercession.
He has also given to us victory through His presence.
We can have victory by using the full armor of God.
Even though Satan has been defeated by Christ, the Christian can be defeated by Satan
unless he uses the armor of God.
And Ephesians 6:13-18, Paul details the different parts of the armor.
1. Truth
2. Righteousness
3. Readiness
4. Faith
5. Salvation
6. God's Word
7. Prayer
Just as Joseph overcame and conquered his temptation, we can also.
God will help us.
He is guaranteed to help us as His word promises:
"There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man;
but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;
but will with the temptations also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
(1 Corinthians 10:13)
Yield Not to Temptation
"Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
Each victory will help you some other to win;
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue,
Look ever to Jesus, He'll carry you through.
Shun evil companions, bad language disdain,
God's Name hold in reverence, nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest, kindhearted and true,
Look ever to Jesus, He'll carry you through.
To him that o'ercometh, God giveth a crown;
Through faith we shall conquer, though often cast down;
He Who is our Savior our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus, He'll carry you through."
Chorus: "Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through."
-- Horatio R. Palmer, 1868
Sermon adapted from several sources by Dr. Harold L. White
