By Olubunmi Adebayo
As we read yesterday, Joseph demonstrated that you don’t defeat some temptations by fighting them – you defeat them by running away, and when occasion calls for such – by fleeing from them.
D) God- Centered Wisdom : while Mrs Potiphar was positioning and making herself attractive and accessible to Joseph, Joseph was not looking at the woman, but on the position of God on such issue – faithfulness and righteousness.
Most people, when tempted, ask: “Who will see me?” Joseph asked: “Can I hide this from God that is watching me?”
Again, Joseph strengthened himself in God by asking this question – “…and sin against God?” Gen 39:9.
This is the highest demonstration of eternal wisdom : to live as if God is present with you when everyone seems absent from you.
Many people are faithful in public spaces because of men and women around. Joseph was faithful in private because God sees everyone. He understood that sin is not just breaking a man’s rule, it is breaking God’s heart.
Potiphar’s wife offered him her body. Joseph offered her the stand of God by reminding himself of the God who had been with him from the pit up unto Potiphar’s house. He could not trade that divine eternal presence of God for 5 minutes of pleasure.
E) Moral Wisdom: Joseph called sin by its right and true name.
Do well to observe Joseph’s language. He did not say as some would have :
“This is risky”.
“This is not good for my career”.
“Let us be careful please”.
These are languages common to people who operate on compromised standards.
Joseph said: “How then can I do this great wickedness?”.
He called it “great wickedness”.
Why is this an act of wisdom? Because the way you name temptation determines how you fight it.
If you call it “just a little fun,” you will play along with it.
If you call it “my weakness,” you will excuse it.
If you call it “great wickedness,” you have given yourself a compelling standard to run away from it.
Joseph did not minimize sin. Modern wisdom says: “Don’t be too hard on yourself.” Joseph’s wisdom says: “Be hard on sin, so sin will not have dominion over you.”
We conclude this by asking: “why was Joseph so wise?”
And the answer is not far fetched – Joseph was this wise because :
a) He feared God more than he desired pleasure.
b) He valued trust more than he valued opportunity.
c) He protected his future more than he enjoyed his present.
d) He fled from what others would have flirted with.
e) He lost his garment, but he kept his garment of righteousness.
f) He lost his position in Potiphar’s house, but he kept his position in God’s plan.
And this is the final proof of his wisdom : The same God he refused to sin against, was the God who went with him to prison, and from prison lifted him to the palace.
And if God can do this for Joseph, he can do it for you too – if you maintain the same standards that Joseph maintained before God.
Top of the day to you 👍
©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
