Character – Godly Youth (1)

Joseph

Resisting Temptation(Genesis 39:4-12)

Key Bible Verses (Gen 39:4-12)

• Gen 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. • Gen 39:5 And it came to pass from the time

that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. • Gen 39:6 And he left all that he had in

Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

Key Bible Verses (Gen 39:4-12)

• Gen 39:7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. • Gen 39:8 But 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; • Gen 39:9 There 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?

Key Bible Verses (Gen 39:4-12)

• Gen 39:10 And 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. • Gen 39:11 And it came to pass about this

time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. • Gen 39:12 And she caught him by his

garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

Introduction

THINK…Do we encounter temptation

everyday?How do we deal with temptation?

Free gift from

God…

Gotcha!

Can I do

that?

Let’s see

what happen

…

Should I?

Should I not?

Background

• Joseph was one of Jacob’s twelve sons • Joseph dreamed dreams and he liked to share it with

others• Joseph was favored by his father but despised by his

older brothers• Joseph was sold to Egypt by his brothers• Joseph was bought by Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh• Joseph found grace in Potiphar’s sight and he made

Joseph overseer over his house.• Potiphar’s wife tempted Joseph and Joseph resisted

the temptation.• Joseph was falsely accused and was put into prison.

Story of Joseph - Resisting Temptation

Temptation and Struggle

• The Temptation:o Direct - Sexual immorality

o Indirect – Money, Power, etc

• The Struggle:o As a slave to her, he is supposed to obey her ->

(riches, power, and glory)

o As a servant to Potiphar, he is supposed to refuse

her -> (trouble, punishment, or death)

Was it easy for Joseph? No• He was young and attractive

• Potiphar’s wife was probably very beautiful also

• It was Potiphar’s wife who initiate the invite

• She pressed his almost daily

• He probably could get away with it also

• If he go along with Potiphar’s wife, he would get a lot of benefits and favor from her

• If he does not go along with Potiphar’s wife, he would be in trouble

• There is risk but reward is BIG…

How did Joseph overcome the temptation?

• His Character – Integrity

• His Action – Flee

• His Thought – Fear God

Remember Joseph’s CAT

Self Reflection?

• What Temptations are you facing today?

• What Struggle do you have?

• What is your CAT?

o What Character is on the line?

o What Action should you take?

o What Thought are you exercising?

Example: Playing Video Game

• Don’t’ waste your time • Just a few minutes, NBD• You still have school work • You can do school work later

• It will affect your health • Just a game, come on…• Your parents told you

not to play too many games

• Your parents won’t know about it

• What happen if they find out?

• You are smart enough to get away from it

• There is consequence of not obeying your parents

• What consequence, worry about the consequence later

Playing Video Games• Temptation: Spending a lot of time playing

video games

• Struggle: o Parents disapprove; wasting a lot of time;

hindering school work and healtho Fun; competing with friends; pride of winning;

Can catch up later;

• How to overcome?o C - Integrity and industrialo A - Determine to stop/Remove all gameso T - Know God is watching, redeeming our time

Example: Spending money

• You are spending too much

• Not that bad. NBD

• You don’t need those stuffs • But you like them

• Where do you put them • You can find a place

• Your parents told you not to spend so much money

• Your parents can afford them

• What happen if they find out?

• You are smart enough to find an excuse

• There is consequence of not obeying your parents

• What consequence, worry about the consequence later

Spending money• Temptation: Spending too much money on

unnecessary things

• Struggle: o Parents disapprove; wasting money; having

things you don't needo Love this and that; make me beautiful; I want to

have it

• How to overcome?o C - Integrity and thriftyo A - Give up the credit card/fixed cash per montho T - Know what is want and what is need

Foundation: Key Success Factor

• Key success factor: "the Lord was with

Joseph“o Occurs four times in this chapter (vv. 2, 3, 21,

and 23)

o God blessed Joseph

o God even blessed Potiphar because of Joseph (cf.

12:3a)

o Joseph feared God

Temptation vs. Tempted

• God does not tempt us (James 1:13)

• Temptation may come from Satan (Matt 4:1-10)

• Temptation may come from People (Gen 39:7;10)

• We are tempted by our own lust (James 1:14)o ‘But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away

of his own lust, and enticed. ‘o Most things are fairly neutralo Our lust causes struggle within uso We choose the ungodly choice

It is a choice…

But there is consequenc

e

Joseph made a godly choice and he was rewarded by

God

God help me… Have mercy on me

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity

Clean me from my sin Create in my a clean heart

Renew a right spirit within me Cast me not away from thy presence

Take not thy Holy spirit from me Restore unto me the joy of salvation Uphold me with thy free spirit