When I first proposed to my wife, her response was, “I hardly even know you.” I am sure we loved each other at that time, but now after more than forty years, I am the one who says to her, “I’m still getting to know you.” I have come to realize how relationships are built on mutual trust, honor and respect, as well as love. They are building blocks for a good relationship, not only during the courting time, but throughout the marriage years. The increasing availability of pornography and frequent unavoidable exposure to seductive advertisements and all kinds of media put temptation before us that we must resist. If we do not learn how, it will destroy us. The dearest and best relationship is at stake. When the building blocks of the marriage relationship are compromised, the consequences are devastating.
Joseph’s Resistance to Temptation
The example of how Joseph resisted the temptation when his master’s wife said to him, “Lie with me,” reveals the underlying things that are at stake and how to overcome. There are three parts to his answer. First of all, “He refused, and said to his master’s wife, Behold, my master takes cognizance of nothing with me: what is in the house, and all that he has, he has given into my hand” (Gen. 39:88But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; (Genesis 39:8) JND). Joseph upholds the confidence and trust his master put in him; he is faithful to his master. Any breach of proper relationship with his master’s wife would be not only sinful, but a betrayal of trust. Any action that breached that trust could not be true love. It says of the virtuous woman in Proverbs, “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil” (Prov. 31:1111The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. (Proverbs 31:11)).
Second, Joseph says, “There is none greater in this house than I; neither has he withheld anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife” (Gen. 39:99There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? (Genesis 39:9)). He upholds the honor his master had given him by refusing to act in a dishonorable way. He honors his master in recognizing his proper relationship to his master’s wife. We as Christians need to uphold the honor put upon us. Yielding to temptation dishonors our Lord; we ought to act as children of God. “Strength and honor” are the clothing (public testimony) of the virtuous woman, and “her husband is known in the gates” (Prov. 31:23,2523Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. (Proverbs 31:23)
25Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. (Proverbs 31:25)).
Third, Joseph says, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:99There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? (Genesis 39:9)). He lived in the sense of God’s presence. The temptation was seen not only as a sin against his master, but also a great sin against God. His eye would see it. Joseph lifts the cloak of secrecy and reveals God’s all-seeing eye. Let us remember that we never get away with anything! “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:1313Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:13)).
Avoid the Temptation
We wish to call attention to another point concerning how Joseph behaved after Potiphar’s wife sought to entice him. “It came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her” (vs. 10). He not only did not listen to her, but he avoided the situation that would put him in the house alone with her. Whenever there is a known place of temptation, we should always seek to avoid it, and if it is not possible, then have someone with us while facing the situation. The instruction of Solomon in Proverbs is the only right way of handling the situation: “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away” (Prov. 4:14-1514Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. (Proverbs 4:14‑15)).
Also, we are advised in the words of wisdom that God gave King Solomon in chapters 6-7 that there are two ways to prepare ourselves to resist the temptation of sexual immorality as portrayed in the strange woman. Chapter 6:20-35 gives the internal preparation of the heart through receiving instruction and allowing it to form our character; chapter 7 warns of the external ways and tactics of the strange woman and where they lead in the end. As we approach the end time when violence and corruption are increasingly prevalent, our moral survival will be greatly enhanced by being well armed with these two defenses.
The Time of Silence
The deceitful conduct of Potiphar’s wife after Joseph refused her advances proves how selfish she was. There was no love in her heart; it was only lust. Trust, honor and respect for one another are necessary for a relationship of love to exist. Joseph, in upholding these principles, remained silent as to the false accusations; we see him taking the blame rather than justifying himself. He would not be a talebearer to save himself. He respected and honored his master at great cost. If, in his own defense, he had told what had really happened, it would have done great damage to Potiphar’s marriage. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:77Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)). In God’s time the true story was made known.
The Garment
The garment Joseph left behind when he fled became a witness to two opposing testimonies. In reality it was evidence of Joseph’s faithful love, honor and respect for his master. Potiphar’s wife falsely used it as evidence of lust, dishonor and disrespect. Which witness will be believed? In these cases more often than not, the witness people believe is the one they want to believe. Judgments are made according to the tenor of the heart, and Potiphar believed what was according to his heart. True discernment to evaluate such situations rightly belongs only to those who, in submission to the Word of God, walk according to its teaching. In doing so they are not blinded by their own willfulness, but rather uphold love, respect and honor for one another.
These are the important factors with which we must come to grips, as we face immoral temptations. We must have the internal preparation of our hearts and also the guarding of the external circumstances that may lead to temptation. “Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psa. 19:13-1413Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:13‑14)).
D. C. Buchanan