“Sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:7
Strategies are specific ways to stand up against temptation. Here are three…
Clear commitment
Joseph was aware Potiphar’s wife had her eyes on him. He saw what was brewing, and he already had settled the issue in his mind and heart. “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (39:9).
An open mind in the face of temptation makes failure inevitable. A godly life revolves around commitments, and if you have none, your life will drift. In any situation, you need to ask, “What will be the big temptation for me here?” Name it, and then make a commitment before God to guard against it.
There is tremendous value in making a vow of sexual purity before marriage. There is also tremendous value in making a vow of sexual faithfulness within marriage. “I will be loyal to you in regard to my body, heart, and mind.” The gift of sexual union is a sacred trust from God, so when we receive it, we surround it with the protection of a lifelong commitment to love, faithfulness, and respect.
Clear communication
Potiphar’s wife “cast her eyes on Joseph and said, ‘Lie with me.’ But he refused” (39:7-8). Joseph didn’t explore with her about how both of them felt. He simply refused. Joseph gave no mixed messages.
Clear boundaries
“As she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her” (39:10). Joseph didn’t say, “I can’t do what you ask, but we can always meet for coffee.” After it came into the open, he gave Potiphar’s wife a lot of space. He knew people who play with fire get burned, so he avoided her.
Have you put these strategies in place? If not, then think through how to do so.
