January 18, 2013 - Genesis 39:1 - 42:5
This amazing Word of God has wisdom for any type of problem known to man. Joseph's story has much insight to offer us.
Hang on! Life may seem to get worse and worse for you. Maybe you are in the biggest trial or temptation of your life! Just say no as Joseph did. Over and over. Don't ever, ever, ever, ever ever give in to temptation. Even when it seems things are worse instead of better. Just cling to Jesus and keep taking the high road. At some point (I'm not gonna say soon because it may not be soon), you will be rewarded as Joseph was!
Remember, you are not battling flesh and blood. You are battling an evil spirit.
"For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere." Eph. 6:12
How do you fight off an evil spirit of temptation? Run the other way!
"Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer." James 1:14 MSG
"For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [a]adjusted and [b]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to [c]a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently." I Cor. 10: 13 AMP
When I was 18, I was heart broken and lonely. The pot smoking nephew of a lady in our church started calling me and picking me up from work. I appreciated his attention and enjoyed his company. After a few weeks, my dad told me I was playing with fire and I was going to get burned! He stopped coming around (my dad probably talked to him as well; I will never know). Thank God my dad stepped in. Maybe you don't have a dad to warn you. Please study the story of Joseph, and heed your inner voice (the voice of your Heavenly Father).
"So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed." I Peter 1:7 AMP
"Dear God, I realize that no one is above temptation. Temptation happens to good hearted people and evil hearted people. The story of Joseph assures me that being tempted doesn't mean I'm a bad person. Help me to flee temptation by running toward the escape route you have provided for me! To You be the glory and the honor, for You do all things perfectly, and when I endure to the end, I will come forth as gold. In Your precious name, the name above every name, AMEN."
"Joseph was a strikingly handsome man. As time went on, his master’s wife became infatuated with Joseph and one day said, “Sleep with me.” He wouldn’t do it. He said to his master’s wife, “Look, with me here, my master doesn’t give a second thought to anything that goes on here—he’s put me in charge of everything he owns. He treats me as an equal. The only thing he hasn’t turned over to me is you. You’re his wife, after all! How could I violate his trust and sin against God?” She pestered him day after day after day, but he stood his ground. He refused to go to bed with her." Gen 39: 6 - 10 MSG
It's unbelievable that Joseph would have the strength of character to refuse this woman day after day. Let him be a shining example to all you men. There have always been these types of women in the world who are controlled by the evil spirit of lust and wont give up. Joseph took the high road and where did it take him? To prison! Where the kings prisoners were kept. I'm sure he had overwhelming feelings of discouragement. But he didn't know the big picture yet. Hang on! Life may seem to get worse and worse for you. Maybe you are in the biggest trial or temptation of your life! Just say no as Joseph did. Over and over. Don't ever, ever, ever, ever ever give in to temptation. Even when it seems things are worse instead of better. Just cling to Jesus and keep taking the high road. At some point (I'm not gonna say soon because it may not be soon), you will be rewarded as Joseph was!
Remember, you are not battling flesh and blood. You are battling an evil spirit.
"For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere." Eph. 6:12
How do you fight off an evil spirit of temptation? Run the other way!
"Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer." James 1:14 MSG
"For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [a]adjusted and [b]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to [c]a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently." I Cor. 10: 13 AMP
When I was 18, I was heart broken and lonely. The pot smoking nephew of a lady in our church started calling me and picking me up from work. I appreciated his attention and enjoyed his company. After a few weeks, my dad told me I was playing with fire and I was going to get burned! He stopped coming around (my dad probably talked to him as well; I will never know). Thank God my dad stepped in. Maybe you don't have a dad to warn you. Please study the story of Joseph, and heed your inner voice (the voice of your Heavenly Father).
"So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed." I Peter 1:7 AMP
"Dear God, I realize that no one is above temptation. Temptation happens to good hearted people and evil hearted people. The story of Joseph assures me that being tempted doesn't mean I'm a bad person. Help me to flee temptation by running toward the escape route you have provided for me! To You be the glory and the honor, for You do all things perfectly, and when I endure to the end, I will come forth as gold. In Your precious name, the name above every name, AMEN."
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