FLEE and LIVE!!!!!!

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

Today's Passage: Genesis chapter 39
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 6: 18

Fact: temptation is more easily accessible now than ever before. Fiction: temptation can be avoided by simple willpower. The fact that a naive young man such as Joseph would be faced with a monster of a compromising situation in the form of Potiphar's wife gives us insight into why the enemy sets traps for us on the way to our destiny.

Remember, the dreams revealed by Joseph to his family served as a warning not only to them that he would be greater than they. It also alerted the kingdom of darkness to the possibility of Joseph being used by God to change the course of history. This fear is what propels the devil to come up with whatever scheme he can think of to prevent this from happening. So when the idea of death (which is ALWAYS his first attempt to take us out) didn't take root in the hearts of the brothers, he introduced compromise.

I really like the way Joseph reacted to Potiphar's wife's advances. He didn't attempt to explain why he couldn't possibly agree to lower his standard. He didn't even hang around and beg her to have mercy on him, hoping she would somehow sympathize and leave him alone. No---- the Bible says he turned and FLED, not even caring that he left his shirt in her grasp. Which brings me to the million- dollar question: what would've happened if every temptation had been met with the same response: Eve in the garden, David on his balcony, or Judas with the pieces of silver? What if the people in mind ran for their lives instead of trying to resist the way they did?

The Word tells us to flee youthful lusts, which means to run away from something as if it costs your very life. And isn't that what we lose if we give in to the temptation? In spite of the lies spoken about him, eventually Joseph was vindicated and still went on to accomplish the things he had dreamed about. If he had given in, the chances of doing this would have been reduced to nothing. The message in today's passage is clear: flee temptation and live, or give in and die. There's too much at stake to choose the alternative.

Prayer: Father, I have spent countless times fleeing from You when all You wanted to do was shield me from evil. Now that I know what I know about this life, I know that Your ways are steadfast and true. Please always keep me close to You so that I can repel every evil thing from my life, and turn away from temptation. No Compromise in Jesus' Name! Amen.