RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!

by Charles R.
Swindoll

Read Genesis 39:6-18

The appeal of sensual lust works like a magnet, drawing two
"sudden and fierce" forces toward each other---inner desire and an outer bait.
Let's face it, you can't escape the bait if you live in the real world. In fact,
even if you somehow manage to shut yourself away from the real world, your mind
will not let you escape the outer bait. But keep in mind that there is no sin in
the bait. The sin is in the bite. When the lust of another tempts you to give in
to your own lust, so much so that your resistance weakens, you have been
enticed. You have given in to the lure of temptation. The secret of victory is
modeled beautifully by Joseph. He refused to weaken. He continued to resist.

Potiphar's wife dropped the bait day after day after day. And each
time Joseph refused to take it. "No, no, no!" he replied. Not only did he not
listen to her, it got to where he did not even want to be near her. She was not
safe to be around.

Joseph had rebuffed her time and time again, refusing to yield to
her advances. Finally, she set a trap for him.

Joseph had come into the house to do his work one day. He noticed
the house was quiet. There were no servants nearby. She was alone with Joseph in
the house, and she again made her move. Only this time she would not take no for
an answer. She went beyond verbal advances and physically grabbed hold of
Joseph. She held on so tightly that when he jerked away from her and dashed out
into the street, he left his outer robe in her hands.

What a clear image! What a practical spotlight on truth from
Joseph's life. What strong biblical counsel. Whenever the New Testament lingers
on the subject of sensual temptation, it gives us one command: RUN! It does not
tell us to reason with it. It does not tell us to think about it and claim
verses. It tells us to FLEE! I have discovered you cannot yield to sensuality if
you're running away from it. So? Run for your life! Get out of there! If you try
to reason with lust or play around with sensual thoughts, you will finally
yield. You can't fight it. That's why the Spirit of God forcefully commands,
"Run!"

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