Jeanie Martin Ministries

Scripture: For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear].

But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation, He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently (1 Cor. 10:13 Amplified Bible).

Expounding upon a passage of Scripture before diving into the commentary is always good. For me, reading Scriptures from the Amplified Bible expands my view and provides a clear thought of what the writer was inspired to share with his readers. My mind opens to see things that I didn’t think of before.

After reading the Amplified version of 1 Cor. 10:13, out of curiosity, I asked myself two questions:

1. “How can I avoid being tempted at all costs?”
2. “If I don’t see a way to escape, how will I escape the devil’s trap?”

After reading this post, I hope that you have thoughts about what you can do to avoid temptation. In the meantime, carefully read the details of how the devil tried to trap Joseph. Ponder what Joseph could have done differently, and then study the Scriptures for full clarity as the Holy Spirit ministers to you.

HUMILITY GOES A LONG WAY

Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel (Gen. 30:24), was sold into slavery by his brothers and taken to Egypt, where Potiphar purchased him as a household servant. Joseph was very handsome in features and physique. Mrs. Potiphar was attracted to him, so she attempted to seduce him. But Joseph was a man of good character; therefore, he resisted her adultress advances. Potiphar had placed confidence in him; therefore, Joseph dared not commit wickedness against his master or sin against God. So, he quickly departed from her presence, but he left his cloak behind. Holding the evidence, Mrs. Potiphar falsely accused Joseph of attempted rape, and he went to prison (Gen. 39).

There are valuable lessons in this story; one of them is, that regardless of where we are, God is always with us. There isn’t any place that we can go where God isn’t already there (Ps. 139:7; Rom. 8:38-39).

Joseph, a man of integrity, was shown the favor of God. When propositioned by Mrs. Potipher, he made a choice not to sin against God. Because of his faithfulness, God promoted him to the highest position under Pharaoh, Governor over the land. Now Potiphar was a servant to Joseph.

If we trust and obey God, walk in His ways, and surrender to His will, He will make all things work together for our good; (Rom. 8:28). Success and promotions come from God. Let your faith and integrity speak for you. God already knows your heart, so let your fruit show for others to see Christ in you.

It’s a fact that God has His methods of humbling us before He uses us. Sometimes the only way up is down. Our love for God is proven by our obedience to Him. Are we faithful under trials, or are we only providing lip service? Our actions speak louder than our words. God knows every heart and faith can be seen. Often we don’t understand what is happening inside of us until the condition of our spiritual faith is revealed to us. Having a relationship with God is the most valuable relationship that we can have because our eyes are on Him, and we have Jesus to compare ourselves to.

SUBMIT YOURSELF TO GOD

In case you didn’t know how Joseph dealt with Mrs. Potipher’s advances, he rejected her first just as the Apostle James tells us to do: “So, be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you (James 4:7 Amplified Bible).

The devil had Joseph’s garment in his hands, and Joseph let him have it, and he quickly ran away from him! Perhaps he was familiar with satans’ devilish ways from his previous injustices. He may have pondered his thoughts knowing that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. Temptation is of the devil.  Always remember that Jesus called the devil the father of lies! Do not be tempted by his cunning advances. Submit to God, resist the devil and He will flee.

(*Please Note: The top photo does not belong to Jeanie Martin Ministries. Shared from Pinterest.)