Being Holy involves Fighting Temptations
“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession… a holy nation.” (Ex 19:5-6)
Greeting to you in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Remember the foundations: Children are baptized on the understanding that as they grow up, they will be helped and encouraged to be faithful in public worship and private prayer, and to live by trust in God. In this time when public worship has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, private prayer is necessary now than ever before. May the Almighty God give us grace for the discipline. The temptations of laxity, sleeping more, postponing devotion time and the like will be common. But remember, you have been called, as the Israelites were, into a special relationship with God.
What does it mean to be a holy nation? Israel’s youngest son illustrates with his own life what it means to be wholly set apart for God. At only 17 years old, Joseph was sold into Egypt. Such a young man in the prime of his life, hot-blooded and excited with all the desires of that season, faced this test: And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”
(Gen 39:7). But somehow Joseph maintains discipline and avoids sexual temptation from Potiphar’s wife. How would he achieve that?
Relate with God: We see in the last part of v.9 how Joseph recognizes that if he gratifies his desires, he will sin against God. Joseph has a depth of relationship with God that he does not want to grieve with sin. He can’t bear to disappoint the God he loves. Yes, he is loyal to his earthly master Potiphar, but in the end, it is his greater heavenly master that Joseph is most concerned about.
Recognize Sin: Again in v.9 Joseph recognizes what Potiphar’s wife wants as something wicked and terrible, and calls it that, setting up his plans for the next action…
Run and Flee: Mark Twain said: “There are several good protections against temptation, but the surest is cowardice”. Potiphar's wife tried every approach from the direct demand to the daily pleading and Joseph strongly refused her and even rebuked her. In Verse 10 Joseph not only refused to go to bed with Potiphar’s wife, but he refused to even be with her. And finally, when she grabbed his robe, he didn’t stop and use the moment to teach Mrs. Potiphar about his faith; he didn’t hesitate and share with her that he’s flattered but must decline, or how it’s nothing personal, or how it might be different, under different circumstances. He didn’t spend one moment on one word of conversation. And he didn’t go back for his coat. He fled, he beat it, he bounced out of there — right away.
Cultivate a great and consistent relationship with God; recognize lurking sin and run and flee for your dear life. Thereby you will defeat temptation by God’s grace; that is what it means to be set apart – to be holy. God bless you all.