Whatever It Takes

Saturday, March 23, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“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. 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. 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.”

Genesis 39:10–12

One of the most damaging things about our current culture is the widespread promotion of tolerance toward sin as being a virtue rather than a defect. No matter how many people in a society follow the path of evil, God’s standards and definitions are unchanging. Things that were wrong when a majority opposed them are still wrong if the majority changes sides and approves them. God is not running a democracy, and His commands are not subject to review by popular vote.

The people of Egypt in the day of Joseph appear to have had no concept of God’s law. It was by no means a moral society. It is highly unlikely that Joseph was the first household slave Potiphar’s wife approached with her immoral invitation. Yet he responded, not by yielding, but by running. Joseph maintained his purity even at a high cost, as he was falsely accused and unjustly imprisoned. Joseph was blessed and honored by God because he was willing to do whatever it took to do right.

In his final letter to Timothy, Paul included this warning: “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). The word Paul used for flee comes from the same root as the word fugitive—someone desperately seeking to escape. Every temptation represents a lethal threat, and we should remove ourselves as far and fast as possible.

Today's Growth Principle: 

The more time we spend in the presence of temptation, the more likely we are to fall.