And [Potiphar] left all that he had
in Joseph’s charge and paid no attention to anything he had except the food he
ate. Now Joseph was an attractive person and fine-looking. Then after a time his master’s wife
cast her eyes upon Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his
master’s wife, “See here, with me in the house my master has concern about
nothing; he has put all that he has in my care. He is not greater in this house than I am; nor has he kept
anything from me except you, for you are his wife. How then can I do this great
evil and sin against God?” Gen. 39:6-9
Compromise:
1. An endangering, especially of reputation;
exposure to danger, suspicion, etc. “A compromise of one's integrity.”
2.
Accept standards that are lower than is
desirable. "We were not willing to compromise on God’s Word.”
As I have been thinking about what
it means to compromise as a Christian, I thought about Joseph. Although a
slave, he had obtained favor in the sight of his master, Potiphar. Certainly,
that favor was a result of the favor of God on his life. I believe the favor of
God and pleasing God was of the utmost importance to Joseph, more than
anything. As I look at the situation in Genesis 39 with Potiphar’s wife, I
don’t see anywhere in the bible where it says she was not attractive or Joseph
was not attracted to her. She may have been an attractive woman and any slave may
have fallen at her feet to have sex with her. Joseph may have thought she was
attractive as well. However, none of this mattered to Joseph. His priority, his
main focus, his heart only cared about doing right in the sight of God. He
refused to compromise and do “this great evil and sin against God.” The next
verse says, “And so it was that she spoke to Joseph
[persistently] day after day, but he did not listen to her [plea] to lie beside
her or be with her.” (Gen 39:10). Can you imagine this type of
temptation? This was a grown man being tempted every day to sleep with a grown
woman. But, Joseph’s heart was fixed on pleasing the Lord. He was a man of
integrity not willing to compromise at all.
Most of the time it’s easier to do
the wrong thing than to do the right thing. However, the bible says, “For if we go on sinning
deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer
remains a sacrifice for sins…” (Heb. 10:26). The word that sticks out to me
here is deliberately. This means on purpose. It means you just do what you want
and live how you want despite knowing the truth of God’s precepts. Make no
mistake about it, we can’t fool God. “Do not be deceived, God
is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with
contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man
sows, this and this only is what he will reap” (Gal. 6:7).
I just want to encourage you today
to be steadfast in your faith in Jesus Christ. Remain steadfast and stand on
the promises of God. Despite of what tests and trials come your way, remain
faithful to Him. Don’t move to the left or to the right, but be still and know
that He is God (Ps. 46:10). Set your heart on pleasing the Lord. Make that your
main priority. “But
first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and
His righteousness
[His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these
things will be given to you also” (Matt 6:33). So, whatever it is that
you need God will supply it and you won’t have to compromise to get it. Don’t allow
your tests and trials to pressure you into compromising. But, let your tests
and trials press you into His presence.
God wants us to live holy not only in
public but in private. He wants us to have integrity not only in public but in
private. Our private lives should be free of compromise as well. I’m convinced,
that our Father who sees in secret will Himself reward us openly (Matt 6:4). Therefore,
be encouraged to fight the good fight of faith so on that day you may hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
Be Blessed!
A.M.
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