There are two types of people in this world: those who plan and those who opt for spontaneity. While there is a time and space for spontaneity, there are many areas of our lives where planning is essential. For example, when it comes to fighting against temptation, it is critical to decide beforehand that we will not give in to sin. When we have pre-determined not to give in to sins, we can more confidently and firmly say "no" when temptations come.
Joseph was a man who was prepared to say no when temptation arose in his life. We learn in Genesis 39 that he had been sold into slavery by his brothers, who were jealous of him. Specifically, he was sold to Potiphar, an Egyptian officer (verse 1). Joseph gained favor with Potiphar because of how well he served in his home, and so he promoted him to be his personal assistant. With Joseph as his personal assistant, Potiphar "didn't worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!" (verse 6). Everything was going well for Joseph until Potiphar's wife took notice of him. Scripture tells us that Joseph was "very handsome and well built," and Potiphar's wife "began to look at him lustfully" (verses 6-7). "'Come and sleep with me,' she demanded" (verse 8). Joseph did not waver in his response. Scripture tells us that “Joseph refused” (verse 8). Joseph did not have to think about how he wanted to respond when the temptation to lust came. He knew his answer already. He must have decided already that he was going to say “no” to the temptation to lust. This decision helped him respond with integrity when the temptation arose.
Like Joseph, we have the opportunity to pre-decide if we will give in to the temptations around us. When we already decide to say “no” to sins such as lust, we do not even have to think about what to do when temptations arise. We already know that our response is “no.” Let’s decide today that we will live lives that honor Christ and say “no” to sin.
What temptations do you find yourself prone to? Maybe it is lust. Perhaps you find yourself tempted to lie. Whatever temptations you commonly face, choose today to say "no." Pre-decide what you will not do. May this decision guide you and give you the strength to say "no" when the temptation to sin arises.
1When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.
2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. 5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. 6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!
Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, 7 and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.
8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”
