Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, Sunday, October 31, 2021

The Trouble With Temptation.

Today Pastor Michael is taking a break and Nick Dowdy is speaking.  His subject is the “Trouble with Temptation” and we’re continuing the story of Joseph that Michael has been teaching on for some time now.  We’re at the part of the story where Joseph is starting to experience temptations in Potiphar’s household, where Potiphar’s wife is finding herself drawn to this handsome, unattached Hebrew.  And she propositions him, to which he refused.

(CSB Baker Illustrated Bible Study Notes) Joseph adamantly refuses to become her lover for two reasons. First, it would be a disservice to his master, who has trusted him (39:8–9a). Second, it would be a sin against God (39:9b). Joseph’s words help us understand the difference between guilt over sin and godly sorrow over sin. Guilt means we are sorry for our sins because we know they are ruining our lives and may keep us out of heaven. Godly sorrow means we are sorry for our sins because we know they grieve the heart of God. It is Joseph’s commitment to high moral principles that keeps him free from an illicit affair.

Nick then goes into a nice study on temptation in James, covering a primer of sorts.  The biggest point being in this side study is that God never temps people.  A second point is that people are only tempted by their own desires.  Third, temptation only becomes sin once we act on it in an ungodly manner.  Lastly, sin results in death and this may not be a literal death but the death of a relationship, etc.  This is a great summary of temptation today and in Joseph’s time.

Back to Joseph, Potiphar’s wife did not like Joseph turning her down a bit, so she set him up, royally.  She took his robe and came up with a story that she fed to her husband, essentially claiming that Joseph tried to sleep with her!  And of course, Potiphar believed her story and had Joseph imprisoned.  Poor ole Joseph, just cannot win.

(CSB Baker Illustrated Bible Study Notes) We do not know why Potiphar puts Joseph into prison rather than killing him (39:20). Does Potiphar have reason to be suspicious of his wife’s story? Has she done something like this before? Maybe Potiphar trusts Joseph more than he trusts his wife. If that is the case, Potiphar is appropriately cautious. You can release an innocent man from incarceration, but you cannot resurrect him.

(Bible for Hope Study Notes) We must look at temptation for what it really is. Temptation, when it stands alone, is merely a withering, shrinking lure. Despite its prevalence, it has no power unless we choose to surrender to it. Remember that temptation itself is not a sin-Jesus was tempted-but yielding to temptation is sin. Everyone can remember falling to temptation. The memory stirs up feelings of being dirty, empty, drained, and even exploited. Grieving the sin is natural and healthy before a righteous God. These feelings and memories can serve as reminders to guard our hearts and minds.

Nick finishes our study on temptation in 1 Corinthians that God will always provide a way to endure temptation.  God will always provide a way out; we are without excuse.  

Today’s verses are found in Genesis 39: 6-20, James 1: 12-15 and 1 Corinthians 10: 12-13.