How to Handle Temptation
This chapter is a great contrast to the previous chapter. Chapter 38 describes moral filth, but chapter 39 reveals moral purity. In chapter 38, Judah was out of control, but in chapter 39 Joseph was under God’s control. Through many unpleasant events God taught Joseph three important lessons:
1. The lesson of SERVICE (verses 1-6)
God knew that Joseph could not be a ruler until first he was a servant.
 We see God’s providence in Joseph’s life
God brought him down to Egypt (the right place) and to Potiphar (the right person). Everything in our life has a purpose. Nothing is by chance (Rom. 8:28).
 We see God’s presence in Joseph’s life
The Lord was evident in his life, and the Lord was effective in his life. Joseph was living proof of the covenant God made with Abraham (see Gen. 12:2-3)
In the midst of difficult circumstances Joseph decided in his heart that if he had to be a servant, he would be the best servant Potiphar ever had.
2. The lesson of SELF-CONTROL (verses 6-15)
A. The tempted
– Joseph was a very handsome man, and with good looks comes greater temptation. Obviously some people are tempted more than others! He was young, and he was away from his parents and the restraints of home. He was a normal young man with normal God-given desires.
B. The temptress – Potiphar’s wife was out to get Joseph. She looked, she lusted, she was aggressive, and she was persistent. She appealed to Joseph’s ego as well as his physical passions.
C. The temptation – Joseph was tempted, but he resisted and remained pure.
What a contrast to Judah who gave in to his lusts. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
 This was a powerful temptation – No one else was in the house with them.
Never is the devil more persuasive than when he says, “No one will ever know.” Proverbs 9:17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

This was a persistent temptation
– Day after day Potiphar’s wife made her advances, but Joseph would not give in.
 Joseph overcame temptation by reasoning
– He said, “Lady, you’re not worth it. My master has given me control of everything in the house

except you. I’d be a fool to give up what I have just for an afternoon of pleasure. How many people have sacrificed their marriage and their character for one moment of pleasure! You don’t have to be a spiritual giant to overcome temptation. You just need to put your brain in gear and realize that sin is not worth the price you have to pay.
When it comes to temptation two questions make all the difference. Compare the choice of Moses, Hebrews 11:24-26 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in
Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
The only question some people ever consider is: “What will I gain?”
We need to ask the question : “What will it cost?”
The only time reason will do you any good is before the fact. After the fact it’s not worth a plug nickel! ( See Proverbs 5:1-13 – When you give in to temptation, you have a long time to think about your mistake.)

Joseph overcame temptation by righteousness
– He called sin by its name, “this great wickedness.” He realized that all sin is against God. 1
Thess. 4:3 – For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication.
 Joseph overcame temptation by running – When all else failed, Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife and got out of the house. He said, “Lady, you can have my clothes, but you can’t have my character!”
1 Cor. 6:18 – Flee fornication.
2 Tim. 2:22
– Flee also youthful lusts.
Psalm 97:10
– Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
Character is not only made in a crisis; it is revealed in a crisis. If Joseph didn’t have character before he went into Egyp t, he wouldn’t have had any when he got there. The same was true of young Daniel. Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
3. The lesson of SUFFERING (verses 16-23)
 Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph

Potiphar unfairly imprisoned Joseph
 The Lord faithfully blessed Joseph
 The secret to Joseph’s success was the Lord’s presence (four times we read in this chapter, “The Lord was with Joseph”)

How to Handle Temptation
Through many unpleasant events God taught Joseph three important lessons:
1. The lesson of___________________________________ (verses 1-6)
 We see_________________________________________________ in Joseph’s life
 We see_________________________________________________ in Joseph’s life
2. The lesson of____________________________________ (verses 6-15)
A. The__________________________________
B. The__________________________________
C. The__________________________________
1 Corinthians 10:13 – There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but
God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
 This was a________________________________ temptation
 This was a________________________________ temptation
 Joseph overcame temptation by___________________________________
The only question some people ever consider is: “What will I___________________?”
We need to ask the question: “What will it________________________?”
 Joseph overcame temptation by____________________________________
 Joseph overcame temptation by____________________________________
(1 Cor. 6:18; 2 Tim. 2:22; Psalm 97:10)
3. The lesson of_____________________________________ (verses 16-23)
 Potiphar’s wife__________________________________________ Joseph
 Potiphar_______________________________________________ Joseph
 The Lord_______________________________________________ Joseph
 The secret to Joseph’s success was__________________________________________