When Temptation Reaches Out to Grab You, Don’t Put Your Mind in Neutral A Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: When Temptation Reaches Out to Grab You, Don't Put Your Mind in Neutral Keywords: "Potiphar's wife" "temptation" "think" "thought” Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: Genesis 39:1-9* 1. Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there. 2. And the LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. 3. Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. 5. And it came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house on account of Joseph; thus the LORD'S blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field. 6. So he left everything he owned in Joseph's charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7. And it came about after these events that his master's wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, "Lie with me." 8. But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. 9. "There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil, and sin against God?" Question What were Joseph’s options when tempted by Potiphar's wife?   Practical help Joseph refused her advances. Notice how he was able to resist the temptation to commit sexual sin. He thought! He remained conscious: • Of Potiphar's trust in him and that committing adultery with his wife would poison that trust. • Of the fact that Potiphar's wife's suggestion was evil. He called it what it was. • That he lived his life in the sight of God. When we are tempted to view images on the Web that play to our sexual appetites, it is important that we think first. Ask yourself: 1. How might viewing sexually explicit images affect your view of women, generally? Might it have a damaging effect on your treatment of your wife? your daughter? your girlfriend? 2. How would you classify viewing explicitly sexual images on the Web? Is such an activity wholesome? Does it help you in your walk with Christ? Using Joseph’s terminology, is it evil? Recognizing something for what it really is helps us deal with it wisely and righteously. 3. How would you behave in front of the computer if you were consciously aware of God’s presence in your life at every moment? In standing firm against pornography, the first step is to think. Think before you act. Don’t just "do something." Stand there, and consider the effects of your actions before you click on smut. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1998, 2004 by eXXit *Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission. ----