Alex on #Temptation

There you are... holding your cellphone in one hand, a question posed by the person on the other end of the phone. Kate is texting you, and she says that Cole says that Phil says that Elizabeth knows for sure that one of the really cute guys from your math class will be at Susie's house party tonight. You seriously consider going. So what if you don't know Susie very well? So what if her parents aren't going to be there? So what if your dad won't let you out of the house after 10 p.m.? You'd really like to be at the party!

Oops. Temptation! It's lurking around every corner. You really, really, really want to do something. In this case, hang out at Susie's party with the nice-looking guy from PreCal -- even though it's past your curfew and there'll probably be drinking at this party. So, what do you do? Do you give in to the temptation? Go to the party even though you know you shouldn't? Or do you choose not to give in? And how?

Tonight at Varsity Josh reminded us (as if we needed reminding! LOL) that summer's upon us! And with summer freedom comes summer boredom. With summer boredom comes summer mistakes, like heading over to Susie's party. All kinds of things will be happening at this party that could cause serious dilemmas in your future.

Like us, another young man faced some tricky situations thousands of years ago, as recorded in the book of Genesis. Joseph, after being sold into slavery by his 11 brothers, rose to a high position of authority in Potiphar's house. He was like Potiphar's 'right-hand man' or 'personal assistant'. He was also a pretty good-lookin' fellow! Potiphar's wife began to take notice of Joseph and invited him to sleep with her. (Genesis 39:6&7) Temptation! So what did Joseph do? Verse 8 says, "But he refused." When Mrs. Potiphar continued to demand him, he "ran out of the house." (verse 12)

So what about that text message from Kate? You're in a tempting situation just like Joseph was. My advice? Take a deep breath. Then refuse. Tell her the truth like Joseph did in verses 8-9: "'Look,' he told her, 'my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. ... How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.'" Tell her you have a curfew to keep. Tell her you don't want to be where there's drinking going on. And don't back down! When Joseph ran away from Potiphar's wife, she grabbed his cloak and it came off. He ran away, naked, as she held on to his clothes. She told Potiphar and the rest of his servants that Joseph had tried to rape her. Guess what? Joseph was put in jail -- but he had done the right thing! (verses 13-20)

It probably won't be easy saying no to temptation. Especially when it seems like all your friends are saying yes. But God will work your situation out, just like He did for Joseph. In Genesis chapter 41, verse 41, Joseph is put in charge of all of Egypt! It's better to change your location or a relationship to avoid temptation than to give in to temptation.

Comment with some thoughts about temptation or share what your breakout group discussed!

-- Alex W / Message Writer