Manric Tan (LMPM): The Life of JosephHalimbawa

“Extreme’’ Purity

Joseph was ‘’ well built and handsome.’’ (Gen. 39:6). And he was a subject of fascination and covetousness of Potiphar’s wife; however, Joseph remained faithful to his Master and God.

Men, in modern-day, have very least resistance to temptations like that of Joseph. There are a lot of excuses to get away with it, to justify men’s fall to temptation of infidelity;
• ‘’Well, she came after me, not me after her. I was simply minding my own business.’’
• ‘‘I’m still young with raging hormones.....’’
• ‘’But did you notice Potiphar’s wife...she is so pretty and desirable?’’
• ‘’Well, I already resisted not once, not twice, but thrice...but she kept on pestering me day after day after day. What’s a poor man like me to do?’’
• ‘’I was lonely and simply needed someone to talk to.... before I knew it one thing led to another.’’

Sounds familiar?

We wonder how Joseph managed to resist the temptation. What is the difference of Joseph’s manhood to our manhood of the contemporary world?

The Scriptures gives the answer:

‘’No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Genesis. 39:9-10). “Joseph refused to even be with her.’’ (v. 10)

It was not simply out of loyalty or gratitude for Potiphar that Joseph did not and will not sin. It was more so because Joseph did not want to disappoint God! It was as simple and as hard as that.

Being tempted in itself is not a sin, yet Jesus is telling us, “if you are really serious about holiness, about righteousness, you would avoid even temptations.” “Lead us not into temptation.....” (Matt. 6:13)

When you play with fire, you get burned.

It’s as simple and as hard as that.