…If you have visited the Outer Banks on the North Carolina coast, you may have heard of “The Wreckers.”  The

  Wreckers were men living near Cape Hatteras that deceived sea captains with lights, so that they would wreck

  their ships.  Over 2300 ships were sunk along this shore.  The Wreckers would gather all the stuff that floated

  ashore.   Such things included: wood, utensils, money, and furniture.

…As Dr. Boice writes, we are constantly faced by even more malicious “Spiritual Wreckers.”  “The world, the flesh,

  and the Devil.”  All of us are faced daily with the TEMPTATION to sin.  Sometimes the temptation is extremely

  strong.  Yet, all of us face the same temptation, and our responsibility is not to EXCUSE our disobedience, we are

  called to conquer TEMPTATION by God’s grace and live for Him.

…Joseph’s temptation to sin was exceeding strong.  Let’s examine it so that we will know when we are most weak.

FIVE FACTORS OF JOSEPH’S TEMPTATION WARNING US TO BEWARE OF THOSE TIMES WHEN WE ARE MOST PRONE TO SIN.

…for sometimes the temptation to sin is quite weak, but at other times it is like the force of a rushing river!

I.      Joseph’s Temptation Involved A Natural Bodily Appetite. 

                A.            His temptation was a “natural” in that it appealed to a right and normal appetite.

                                …Joseph was a 27 year-old man who was single, lonely, and had normal God given desires…

                B.             Note the distinction between “natural and unnatural” appetites.

                                …natural appetites include:  thirst, hunger, sex, etc

                             …unnatural ones include: murder, hatred, stealing, etc.

                C.             Jesus was tempted in this same way…Matthew 4,  “turn the stones into bread.” 

        D.            It is true, that sex is natural, but it is not to be indulged in under all circumstances or with

                                all partners.   It is God’s gift to be enjoyed within the bounds of marriage.

II.     Joseph’s Temptation Came When He Was Far From Home.  “in Egypt”

                A.            Joseph’s temptation came to him while he was far from his father and home.

        B.             One writes, “a good home acts as a restraining influence on the behavior of its children.”

                                1.             Once far from home, freedom may lead them to “throw caution to the wind and

                                                succumb easily to the sinful charms of a wicked world.”   (ex: college students)

                                2.             A businessman far from home, does what he would never do in his hometown.

                C.             This results from a “low” view of God, that He is here but not there. 

III.    Joseph’s Temptation Came After An Important Promotion…Success.

                A.            Joseph had started at the bottom in Potiphar’s home.  Now 11 years later, he was given the

                                promotion of “top dog.”  

                                1.             This temptation did not come to him while struggling to get to the top.  It came after.

                                2.             All his hard work paid off.  “Relax and enjoy life.” 

                B.             David fell into temptation, not while living in the caves, but after success had come to him.

                C.             We too must beware of temptation after we have accomplished a goal, or finished a great work.

IV.    Joseph’s Temptation Came To Him Repeatedly.  “it attempted to daily wear him down.”

        A.            Mrs. Potiphar came to him “day after day,” (v. 10) tempting him to sin with her.

                                1.             This is one of Satan’s best weapons against us.  At first we might be strong and

                                                resist the temptation to sin.  But he knows our weakness, and so brings it back time

                                                after time, attempting to wear us down or catch us when we are unusually weak.

                                2.             Remember, Satan is a lion attempting to devour us.  (1 Peter 5)

                B.             Jesus was not tempted just once while in the wilderness (Matt 4), Satan came to Him often…

                                …But He did not sin.  He succeeded while our father Adam failed miserably.  (Luke 4:13)

                                …Beware of continual temptation.  Remember:  water drops can eventually melt the rocks.

V.      Joseph’s Temptation Came At The Perfect Opportunity.  (vv. 11-12)

        A.            No one else was in the house, but Joseph and Mrs. P.  Did she arrange this?  Maybe.

                B.             Many have fallen into sin because it came to them when no one seemed to be around. 

                                …”no one will know.”  The sinner says to himself.  “NO ONE?”  Not so…and God knows!!

LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES: