Scripture:
Genesis 39:1-20
Tue, 27 June 2023

Dealing with Sexual Temptations

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about the way Joseph
responded to Mrs Potiphar’s sexual advances?

Deeper Reflection
Mrs Potiphar’s sexual advances were relentless. “Day after day” (v.10) she asked Joseph to sleep with her. Despite the constant pressure, Joseph refused to betray his master Potiphar’s trust and would not sin against God, his ultimate Master. Joseph gave clear moral reasoning in his firm response to his master’s wife (vv.8-9) and took wise precautionary measures to stay away from her presence at the workplace (v.10). When she finally managed to corner Joseph, he quickly fled from the person, place and situation.How should we deal with sexual temptations at the workplace?36 1. Simply flee from temptations. Don’t entertain temptations – don’t imagine the possibilities nor take any step towards them. Like Joseph, quickly turn and run away (v.12). Don’t stay to rationalise or try to manage temptations, because we are prone to deception by self and the devil. Do a fast getaway from that person, place and situation. “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Cor 6:18a). Such temptations are commonly faced, but each of us has a choice to flee and take the escape route that God provides (1 Cor 10:13-14). 2. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (Jas 4:7-8a). 3. Seek prayer intercession by two or three close Christian friends whom you trust: “I’m facing these temptations… Please pray for me.” We recall that when our Lord Jesus was experiencing great anguish and internal struggle shortly before going to the cross, He sought out Peter, James and John, and asked them to watch and pray with Him (see Matt 26:36-41).
36 Reflecting on this episode from the angle of sexual harassment in the workplace, one commentator wrote: “Joseph’s godliness did not rescue him from false accusation and imprisonment. If we find ourselves in a parallel situation, our godliness is no guarantee that we will escape unscathed. …Knowing that we belong to the Lord and that he defends the weak will certainly help us to face difficult situations without giving up. This story is a realistic recognition that standing up to sexual harassment in the workplace may have devastating consequences. Yet it is also a story of hope that by God’s grace, good may eventually prevail in the situation.” (Theology of Work Project, Inc.: https://www.theologyofwork. org/old-testament/genesis-12-50-and-work/joseph-genesis-372-5026/the-schemes-of-potiphars-wife-and-josephsimprisonment-genesis-391-20/)
Application:

How will I deal with sexual temptations in my workplace?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for pastors and staff: To always be on guard against sexual temptations in the context of their ministry work wherever it may take place
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 10: 4-19
Sat, 30 September 2023

Strengthened by the Divine Touch

Observation:

What is the significance of the repetition of the terms “strength” and
“strengthen” in Daniel’s encounter with God (vv.8, 16, 17, 18, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
When God sent His Word to Daniel in a vision, it was he “alone saw” the “great vision” (vv.7-8). It was a special privilege of divine sovereign grace. The vision was also a vision of God’s holiness and glory manifested in the awesome appearance of a heavenly being (vv.5-6). Daniel was so utterly overwhelmed by the divine vision, that “no strength was left in me” (v.8). The description, “no strength”, is emphatically repeated four times in Daniel’s encounter with God (vv.8, 16, 17). We may not experience such an utterly overwhelming encounter with God like Daniel’s, but we do experience “no strength was left in me” in utterly overwhelming adversities like being “afflicted in every way” (2 Cor 1:8; 4:8-9).When we have “no strength”, we need the divine touch. God responded to Daniel’s fourfold “no strength” with a threefold divine touch (vv.10, 16, 18): He “touched me again and strengthened me”. When we are so greatly afflicted, that we feel no strength is left in us, and yet we persevere in faithfulness, it is because we are being “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of great endurance and patience” (Col 1:11). Note the intensity and immensity of this divine power at work in us! This is the divine touch of “the surpassing greatness of power” from God (2 Cor 4:7-9). But we feel the physical and emotional pains more than the Spiritual power. The greater is our suffering, the greater will be the strength from God in us, and the greater will be our steadfastness in God.
Application:

What is my experience of the Word of God and spiritual warfare like in my
discipleship journey?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for Church Board: To know God’s power that is perfected in weaknesses
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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