What Do We Learn From Genesis 39 On Fighting Temptations?

WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM GENESIS 39 ON FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS? 

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

Genesis 39:11-18 describes Joseph's encounter with Potiphar's wife who sought to draw him into adultery. 

Joseph's compelling faithfulness as a steward in his master's house is recorded in Genesis 39:1-10. His master had full trust and confidence in him and had assigned his domestic affairs into Joseph's hands. 

Interestingly, Joseph's Egyptian master had also discerned that God was with Joseph. How did this stand? 

This is perhaps the most significant reflection on Joseph's life that his pagan master captured. It was the fruit of godly diligence that stood out for Joseph. This is what stands out a faithful believer from a corrupt world. 

The story is told of a customer who asked the counter salesperson if he was a Christian! The brief conversation that followed revealed that the salesman was a church elder. He had noticed that the customer had mistakenly overpaid for an item by a colossal sum of money. He quickly rushed and called her back from across the street to collect the money. Few people would perhaps have bothered to do what this honest man had done since there would be no paper-trail evidence for any counterclaim. The salesman confessed that his moral convictions would not permit him to defraud his customers. 

During his temptation by his Egyptian master's wife, Joseph demonstrated his moral integrity which was founded on his covenant faithfulness with God. He was a man driven by his moral convictions on godly prudence. He was not ready to compromise on his covenant relationship with God even where the exigencies of convenience stood out for him. 

Joseph's statement in Genesis 39:9 affirms his unwavering moral standing. His rhetorical question is equally unparalleled. He candidly responded to his master's wife, saying: "There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (NKJV). 

Joseph was resolute that he would not fall for the woman's seduction. He was compelled to flee from his master's wife when she attempted to physically draw him into sexual sin. The woman later lied to her husband that Joseph had attempted to rape her! 

Joseph was eventually thrown into an Egyptian dungeon for a crime that he had never committed. God however stood with Joseph through his suffering and vindicated him in end. By God's grace, Joseph was finally released from prison. He rose to become the highest ranked officer in Pharaoh's court. 

MORAL LESSONS 

Joseph's encounter with his Egyptian master's wife teaches us a number of moral lessons on dealing with temptations in our Christian lives. 

First, we learn that a believer should stand by the convictions of God's word at all times. We should never give room to compromise. The Bible exhorts us to flee from every appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). 

Secondly, we learn that Satan is always seeking the downfall of God's covenant people. He can even use people close to us to tempt us into disobedience. We should therefore stay alert at all times so that we do not fall into the hands of Satan and his agents. 

Scripture proclaims in 1 Peter 5:8 that our adversary walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. This calls for diligence and fortitude among God's people in their daily walk of life. Scripture elsewhere exhorts us to resist the devil and he will flee from us.

Thirdly, we discover that no matter how many false accusations are filed against us, God will vindicate us in the end. Joseph suffered the humiliation of a life in the dungeon but his fellowship with the God of Israel was preserved. 

James 1:2-4 says "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (NKJV). 

Fourthly, we learn that we should not seek vengeance against those who persecute us. There is no record in Scripture that Joseph carried any bitterness against his master. He could perhaps have used his high office to repay Potiphar in kind! He chose to endure it all to the glory of God. In Romans 12:9 God proclaims "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" (NKJV). Leave it to God!

Joseph later demonstrated compelling moral fortitude when he forgave his brothers who had sold him to an Ishmaelite slave Caravan for twenty shekels of silver (Genesis 37:28). His brothers lived in guilt until their father Jacob passed away. They feared that Joseph would revenge against them and sought forgiveness from him. 

Despite the agony he had suffered in their hands, Joseph chose to forgive his brothers even when he could have been justified in repaying them for their evil. He was overcome by godly emotion and profusely wept in their presence! 

In Genesis 50:20, Joseph answered his brothers saying "You meant it for evil; but God meant it for good." This statement reveals the wisdom of a man who had undergone affliction and learnt to submit to God in humility. 

Finally, we learn that God honors our faithfulness whenever we undergo afflictions in life. He will vindicate us at His appointed time. He restored great men of God such as Job, Joseph, and David who had endured harrowing afflictions. He rewards our diligence in His divine ways in this life and in the life to come. He will fulfill His divine purposes for our lives no matter what circumstances we go through in life. 

Keep it Christ!

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026