God Turns Lies into Blessings

Genesis 39:7–12 ESV

And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her. But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house.

Joseph was made stronger through temptation. God allowed Joseph to be tempted so that he could learn self-denial, discipline, and control. Joseph needed what we need: to learn to control his body, thoughts, and passions. Again, note the former verse where it is said that Joseph was handsome and manly.

When the sun sat each day on Joseph’s life, he could rest easy, because he has been faithful. When he was home with his father Jacob, he had been a faithful son. When he minded his father’s flocks, he had been a faithful worker. When he was sold to Potiphar, he proved to be a faithful servant. Because he had been faithful, the Lord blessed everything he did. In this passage, we are allowed to see the faithfulness of Joseph very clearly. He remains faithful to His God, and to himself, in the face of some problems that would cause many others to fail. Of course, there is a word here for our lives today. As we pass through this life many situations will arise that have the potential to throw us off course. The world, the flesh and the devil will all conspire to get us to quit on God. They will do everything in their power to cause us to drop out or to fall far short of our potential. God wants us to be faithful. He wants us to stay the course and run the race for His glory until He calls us home. Joseph teaches us how to be faithful in spite of what we may face in this life. I want to show you the areas in which Joseph was faithful to the Lord. He expects no less from you and me! Let’s not disappoint Him.

• Faithful in Spite of Temptations

• CONTEXT

• TEMPTATION

• Joseph was tempted by Potiphar’s wife to “lie” with her. Obviously, she had noticed Joseph sometime before this event happened.

• As she looked and looked, she became more and more attracted. She most likely had made suggestive remarks and invitations before the bold approach taken here.

• But Joseph no doubt always turned the conversations to another subject and walked away when he could. She soon saw that she was getting nowhere with suggestive invitations.

• However, she was burning with lust and wanted Joseph so badly that she finally got up the courage to be bold.

• On a day when no one else was within hearing distance, she just came right out and asked Joseph to go to bed with her.

• SCRIPTURE on TEMPTATION

• Temptation is never from God

James 1:13 ESV

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

 

• Temptation is always from within

James 1:14–15 ESV

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

 

• There is always a way out of temptation

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

 

• He saw SIN for what it really was.

• FAITHFUL IN SPITE OF TRIALS (vs 13-19)

• CONTEXT

• TRIAL – that came his way and endured it with grace

• TRUTH – will always prevail

• TRUST – God and stay the course

• FAITHFUL IN SPITE OF TRAGEDIES (vs 20-23)

• There Joseph is back in the pit

• You can always trust God to do right by you

• God blessed Joseph and used him in his prison