The Great Escape

“But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.” Genesis 39:12b

Joseph had been promoted to oversee everything in Pharaoh’s palace due to the favor he had received from his master. Although he had risen in the ranks, we cannot lose sight of the position he currently held…servant. He had been sold into slavery and was walking with the Lord during this lonely and fearful time. While his master was away his wife continuously propositioned Joseph demanding that he ‘lie with her.’ Day after day he declined telling her that it would be a sin against God. One day she grabbed his outer clothing with her request and he was aware things were intensifying. He turned around and ran outside separating himself from the source of temptation. This simple verse has enormous value.

We all have those times when we feel lonely…depressed…fearful to name a few emotions. We long for something…we are hungry for anything…we look around for options. There is never a more dangerous time to give Satan a foothold in our lives than seasons when our emotions are in a heightened state. Banking accounts are drained…affairs are pursued…relationships are fractured…one bad decision after another, stringing together a future of chaos and consequences. The easiest time to escape our temptation is the first time we experience it. Every tempting moment that follows cracks the door a little more to invite sin into our situation. ‘It seems we are never more susceptible to a major act of sin than when we’re suffering…Nothing you lose while fleeing will compare to what you might lose if you give in to sin or what you will gain in obedience.’ Finding God Faithful,’ Kelly Minter, p. 41. Kelly reminds us that God’s boundaries are good boundaries and have our best in mind. She cautions us that our sin is first and foremost against God. She encourages us that all temptation will eventually come to an end.

God does not leave us on our own in our temptation but will always provide a way to stand against it. ‘No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.’ 1 Co 10:13. This staggering truth echoes what was true for Joseph and is true for each of us. Our temptations are the same temptations that others experience…nothing new. God will always provide a way to avoid our temptations but we have the ultimate choice to use the escape path. The more closely we walk with God the more clearly we see the detour to take from tempting situations.