THE TIMING OF TEMPTATION - Michelle McKinney Hammond
THE TIMING OF TEMPTATION - Michelle McKinney Hammond
After a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he refused. - GENESIS 39:7-8
One Bible translation says that Potiphar’s wife said to Joseph, “Come lie with me.” This is truth on several levels. Intimacy without commitment is a lie. It is based on nothing and holds no promise of tomorrow. This disregards the power of love and sex. It dismisses the awe we should have as we experience this gift from God and walk in reverent fear and respect for one another’s bodies that are temples of the Holy Spirit. A casual approach to intimacy doesn’t comprehend that sex is a physical parallel to the spiritual act of worship. It’s giving all we have and all we are to the mates we’ve committed to through God. Physical intimacy is not something to participate in lightly.
When the favor of God is on our lives, we will always be noticed. And like Jospeh’s situation, it’s sometimes by the wrong people for the wrong reasons. This is why we should decide ahead of time what we’ll stand up for, what we won’t give in to, and what we’re willing to negotiate. Temptation seems to come at our lowest points, when we’re discouraged, angry, or upset. It often comes when we’ve been waiting on God to deliver on a promise. It sometimes comes whispering, “You owe it to yourself. You deserve it,” pulling at your resistance and your flesh.
In spite of how we feel, when we stay submitted to God, He will reward our faithfulness.
What tempts you when you’re struggling? What can you do to stay strong?
PRAY THIS PRAYER WITH ME:
“Dear heavenly Father, help me stand firm when I grow weary and question Your faithfulness. Thank You for establishing my commitment to You and Your commitment to me on a firm foundation—Jesus Christ. In His name I pray. Amen.”
“Dear heavenly Father, help me stand firm when I grow weary and question Your faithfulness. Thank You for establishing my commitment to You and Your commitment to me on a firm foundation—Jesus Christ. In His name I pray. Amen.”
