Joseph: A child of God can say no to sin

This is part of a series of studies we are doing on the life of Joseph. Joseph indeed is a challenge both to the young and the old today. He is a model to servants and those who are going through difficult times in their lives. We hope that it is going to be a blessing to you. Remember you are free to comment and write us.

Gen 39:6-9 “…Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he refused…How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (NIV) Joseph was a very successful servant and was well favoured by his master, Potiphar. Also, he “was a very handsome and well-built young man” Vs 6. Soon his master’s wife began to desire him. She was bold and invited Joseph to bed with her, but Joseph said no. Now imagine the favours he would probably have enjoyed from the madam of the house assuming he conceded to her request, though we know, just like any gain or pleasure of sin, it would have been short-lived. Off course saying no to the woman was a risk in itself and eventually landed him into trouble. However, if you love God and you are a responsible son, you should be able to say no to sin even when it seems ‘risky’. Better land into ‘trouble’ with man and be at peace with God rather than the other way round. Most people are able to say no once but succumbs when under pressure. Potiphar’s wife “kept putting pressure on him day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and kept out of her way as much as possible” Vs 10(NLT). Joseph devised ways of avoiding the woman. Why was he taking all the pains? He was determined in his refusal to sin against God. Often times, opportunity comes for us to prove our decisions. I don’t call it opportunity to sin but opportunity to test our decisions. Joseph was alone in the house doing his house cores. The desperate woman grabbed him on his cloth begging him to sleep with her. Joseph left his clothes with her and ran. God has not asked us to stand and resist temptation. He asked us to resist the devil but urged us to “flee from every appearance of evil” (1 Thess.5: 22). Temptation can come in several ways: in the course of discharging your duties in your workplace like Joseph, in your school, in house among neighbours, or even in the course of rendering service to God, like helping others etc. But one thing is clear, “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. (I Jn 3:9 NIV). If you are born of God, you have the capability to say no to sin and live a victorious Christian life.