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FORGIVE 'TIL IT HURTS - PART 4

FORGIVE ‘TIL IT HURTS – PART 4

-Brenda Graff

 

RE-CAP OF PART 3

-JOSEPH SOLD OUT FOR 20 SHEKELS

-THE KISS OF DEATH

-DECEPTION KILLS

-CHARACTER EXPOSURE

  

PART 3

PART 2 

PART 1

 

THE TRUTH ABOUT TEMPTATION

Genesis 39

Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.  2 The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. 6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

Despite Joseph’s predicament being cast into a pit, sold into slavery, and sold again…he landed a pretty good job I’d say.  He was set up in the house of his Egyptian master.  Potiphar trusted him with everything.  Joseph was highly favored.  He was set, except for his freedom to go back home. 

But now even that was about to be put to the test. 

Have you ever felt like you finally had a handle on a situation? ...and then slam!  A tidal wave of trials trails past the shore of peace.  You are blind-sided so quickly; you hardly have a moment to catch your breath.  Your swimming upstream against a tsunami.  A conversation emerges from a previous pain and causes insecurity.  A child you thought had seen the light is now suddenly walking in darkness.   An addiction you thought you had beat comes back stronger than before.  Your improving health takes a sudden turn for the worst.  Dreams you were seeing come into fruition, suddenly drown.  It could be any person, place, or thing that can rip the rug right out from under you, and leave you laying there saying, “I’ve fallen and can’t get up”.

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, vs. 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”

Vs. 8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.

Joseph be like. “Are you insane?”

Talk about relentless!  

This woman was on a mission to win.  She was not going to take no for an answer.  I know some folks like that.  I like the character of determination, but I do not like the blatant disrespect of someone tempting you to do something they know your morally against.  This type of person certainly lacks integrity and character.  The mind of these type of individuals is solely for their personal gain, and none other.  They either want someone to join the bandwagon with them so they feel less guilty about their bad choices, or they want to control you.

Vs. 11 One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.

He ran!  Run Joseph…Run!

Remember the movie “Forest Gump”? 

On his first day of school, Forrest meets a girl named Jenny Curran, whose life is followed in parallel to Gump's at times. Despite his below average intelligence quotient, his ability to run at lightning speed gets him into college on a football scholarship. After his college graduation, he enlists in the army, where he makes friends with a man named Bubba, who convinces Gump to go into the shrimping business with him when the war is over. They are sent to Vietnam, and during an ambush, Bubba is killed in action. Gump ends up saving much of his platoon, including his Lieutenant, Dan Taylor, who loses both his legs as a result of injuries. Gump is awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism.

While Gump is in recovery for a shot to his buttocks, he discovers his uncanny ability for ping-pong, eventually gaining popularity and rising to celebrity status, later playing ping-pong competitively against Chinese teams in ping-pong diplomacy. At an anti-war rally in Washington, D.C., Gump reunites with Jenny, who has been living a counterculture lifestyle. 

Returning home, Gump endorses a company that makes ping-pong paddles, earning himself US$25,000, which he uses to buy a shrimping boat, fulfilling his promise to Bubba. Lieutenant Dan joins Gump, and although they initially have little success, after finding their boat the only surviving one in the area after Hurricane Carmen, they begin to pull in huge amounts of shrimp. They use their income to buy an entire fleet of shrimp boats. Lieutenant Dan invests the money in Apple and Gump is financially secure for the rest of his life. He returns home to see his mother's last days.

One day, Jenny returns to visit Gump and he proposes marriage to her. She declines, though feels obliged to prove her love to him by having relations with him. She leaves early the next morning. On a whim, Gump elects to go for a run. Seemingly impulsively, he decides to keep running across the country several times, over three and a half years, becoming famous in the process.

Forrest didn’t allow himself to be reeled in by the temptation of rejection; he took off like a banshee.  In all the situations he faced, he became productive, infectious, influential, incredibly rich in spirit, and in soul.

If Joseph had allowed himself to stay there with his master’s wife, can you imagine what would have taken place, okay…don’t imagine that, but hear this…this one act of pleasure would surely have cost him everything.

Vs. 13 When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, 14 she called her household servants. “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed. 15 When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”  Vs. 16 She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18 But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”

This woman was not one who could handle rejection well. 

The temptation from rejection can lead to immeasurable turmoil!

Vs. 19 When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. 20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.

Poor Joseph, he couldn’t get a break!  Here he was minding his own business, his master’s business and, when suddenly ensnared all over again.  Surely, he must have thought… “Haven’t I been through enough already?”  “What now, God?”

But while Joseph was there in the prison, Vs. 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

So basically, despite this adulterous women’s attempt to destroy Joseph’s character, integrity, and well-being, God was watching.  He saw and heard the evil plot against him.  God was not going to allow His purpose in Joseph to be thwarted.  He had already proven his faithfulness.  He trusted Joseph with a mighty plan and because he had been faithful in little he was about to receive much more than he could have ever imagined.

Luke 16:10

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

Everyone faces temptation.  There is no preacher, teacher, spouse, child, or even Jesus who escaped temptation. 

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down.

For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”  10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

If Jesus was tempted, how can you think you won’t be?  Do you think that if you memorize your Bible, have prayer marathons, and sign up for a Christian lifestyle only membership…that you won’t be lured?  

Do you believe that legalism will keep you from committing the ultimate crime? 

Or is it the acts of good deeds that will keep you so busy, you won’t have time to be tested, tried, and tortured with temptation?

Not!  It doesn’t matter who you are, how anointed you be, religiously or otherwise…you will be tempted!

If this were not so, why would God’s word repeatedly speak of fleeing from it? 

But take heart, He does make a way out of it!

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

I remember literally sobbing in almost disbelief over this particular verse…despite how much I believed in God’s word.  I have faced some unthinkable temptations in my life that felt at times I would never endure.  It seemed almost impossible!  I nearly fell into snares that could have and sure would have ruined my life!  The enemy wanted desperately to destroy the ministry I was involved in.  He was aiming at destroying my family, my integrity, the very core of my beliefs, and morals.

Satan is set out to accuse, and cause accusations!  He does this by means of compromise, enticement, lack of judgement, and hits us when we are at our weakest.

The Accuser –

Greek definition:

diabolos dee-ab'-ol-os; a traducer; specially, Satan: --false accuser, devil, slanderer.

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.’” Revelation 12:10

He is the Adversary-

agonizomai ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee; to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), or genitive case (to endeavor to accomplish something):--fight, labor fervently, strive.

He will send folk your way that seemingly desire to help you, but they are really there to help you spiral downward!  He is striving by any means to accomplish his goals.  We must be watchful in our relationships and advice we take.

Look what happened to Eve!  She was tempted with a little more knowledge, and who was there to not only entice but cater? 

Genesis 3:4

“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:”

Guess what folks?  She not only was sentenced to a death in the future as all of us, but until that day came, she was forced to endure labor pains, and experience the horrific loss of both sons.  Was the taste of knowing more or the taste of that apple worth that much?  Is that momentary pleasure worth losing it all?

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Satan is a thief coming with destruction in his hand to deliver at your doorstep faster than you can say FEDEX!

HE IS A THIEF

kleptes klep'-tace; a stealer (literally or figuratively):--thief.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

Temptation is NOT the sin!  It doesn’t become a sin until it is put into action, and action doesn’t take place until thought is provoked, and focused on that temptation.

Temptation definition:

Hebrew definition-

maccah mas-saw'; a testing, of men (judicial) or of God (querulous): --temptation, trial.

The Greek definition-

pagis pag-ece'; a trap (as fastened by a noose or notch); figuratively, a trick or: --snare.

peirasmos pi-ras-mos'; a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity:--temptation.

God knew we were going to face trials and temptations, otherwise Jesus would not have left us an example of how to pray.

Matthew 6:13

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

The trap most people fall into is that they believe the lies of the enemy.  They may often feel that temptation TRUMPS triumph. 

Often, Christians get caught up in failure before the fall.  Instead of taking it as it is, which is merely (temptation) …they begin the circle of comparison encroaching on self-criticism.  This in turn can also produce the spiral downfall.

However, it is in those temptations that the triumph becomes even greater when resisting!  It transcends the totality of temptations trap the next go round!

I believe that it is in these temptations that the truth comes out, which is the conviction of character, commitment, and capabilities.

However, these areas cannot be perfected in us until we are put through it.  I once read that it’s like a percolator.  I know many haven’t heard of one of these in probably a century, but aside from instant coffee, a percolator developed coffee by forcing water through a stem in which the application of heat and pressure produced this savory aroma that would fill a room with splender.  The taste was incredible!

How can you ever know what you are made of, if you never have heat or pressure in your life? 

When you realize how much God is greater than any temptation you are faced with, you can absolutely without a shadow of a doubt not be duped!  God’s already given you the ability to overcome.

1 John 4:4

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

But…BUT!  You cannot do these things without staying close to the throne! 

John 15:5

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

You want to produce fruit?  You want to be successful in the spirit?  You can’t, unless it comes through Him who created you. 

This means you have to bury yourself in His word, learn of His promises, get to know Christ character, learn of our heavenly Father.  You can’t know someone unless you spend time with them.  You certainly can’t love someone you don’t abide with.  You have to cling, accept His ways, commands, grace, sovereignty. 

If you have no reverence for God, how in the world can you have true respect for another living soul?  It’s not possible.  I don’t care how humanitarian you are, evil lurks at the eye of the beholder who is living of this world, if God’s spirit of love has not taken root, neither has commitment or integrity…though some seem like really nice people, and wage war against causes that hurt humanity, it does not make for a person who is fully equipped to deal with temptation or does not make one the master of morality

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Paul speaks of how our battle is not waged as the world seems to.  We cannot fight the war with worldly thoughts, and ways.

2 Corinthians 10:1-3

By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.

As Joseph got to each stage in his life of success, more temptations followed.  Yet, none were alike.  When Satan failed in one area, he hit another.  Yet, without fail, Joseph stayed steady even in his most hurtful, incredibly trying moments.

Temptation can taunt you, but you don’t have to trip over it!

Let it percolate, resonate, agitate, and instigate, but don’t meditate on it!

Joseph ran from it; he didn’t allow his mind to get wrapped up in it for a second!  He had a choice.  And so do you!

Tips to Trample Temptation

1.       Don’t put yourself in a situation that is going to prompt temptation, i.e. being alone with the opposite sex in a room, car, etc. if you are vulnerable, or struggle with sexual temptation.

2.      Don’t discuss your marital issues with the opposite sex, seek Godly counseling. It could turn into an emotional affair and / or physical.

3.      Don’t hang with folks that are feeding the temptation.  The people you spend most your time with are going to be your greatest influences.  You may have to cut someone temporarily out of your life or permanently.  I realize this is a tough one for many.  However, in these instances, you can’t worry about what people think.  Your main objective is to please God, and take care of your responsibility, not popularity.

4.       Avoid people, places, and things that cause triggers while you are trying to kick a habit, or an addiction.  It takes 12 months to change a behavior.  It generally takes even longer to be dedicated to the change.  This isn’t to say that you will never fall again, but you’re more likely to get back up and try again.

5.       Feed your soul with the word of God, listen to CD’s, YouTube sermons, attend church on a regular basis and get involved in helping others, concentrating on serving rather than serving your fleshly desires.

6.       In the moment of a temptation, STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN!   

   Don’t take a single step forward in action before you look one day past acting on it.  What are the consequences?  What will be the long-term effects?  Who will it hurt?  Will there be any room for restitution or will this act sever and destroy a personal relationship with someone, i.e. spouse, friend, co-worker permanently? Listen to that inner voice!  If your gut is saying, “Don’t you dare” …then DON’T!  Listen to the voice of reason in the (looking process I mentioned a second ago).  If you choose to follow through and act on the temptation, are you ready to hear the echoes of regret reverberating through your thoughts?  Do you want to feel the condemnation, and anxiety that will follow?  That I think is the worst side-effect of participation in temptation.  Can or will you be able to forgive yourself after such an act?

7.       Remember that integrity is EVERYTHING!  You can be the nicest person in the world, have great intentions, but once you have broken someone’s trust, it will take an act of God to have it restored.  Are you ready to go through years of being considered untrustworthy?  Is it worth the broken trust?  This not only causes a strain on a relationship, but on the person committing the act.  Some relationships can never be restored to a level in which it was before betrayal.  Are you ready to suffer that consequence?  If married it takes the ‘us’ out of trust…leaving you with turmoil, resentment, and tears.

8.       Think!  When we choose to act on a temptation, we are not only affecting ourselves, our walk with God, but we are forcing our loved ones to suffer the consequences of our action or inaction!  This can have long-term effects.  This is in turn can cause generational issues for years to come.  Many families have suffered from the effects of one man or women’s decision to have an affair, or to use drugs, and alcohol, practice thievery, abuse, etc.…it almost becomes inbred in the DNA.  Now don’t get me wrong, I realize that not every abused becomes an abuser, or every user converts into a user, but statistics show that it can be probable.  However, this is solely up to each individual and their personal walk with God to prevent such things as this.  Yet, the onslaught of repercussions still lays to show itself through the years and by which example that individual, sibling, and grandchild, or extended family was raised by.    Certainly, Joseph though was abandoned, enslaved, and forced to a perpetual pain that would last for years was not nor ever became long term (that is) what brood in his sibling’s hearts, despite his father (Jacob’s) deceitful actions.  

  It is a selfish move, when we decide to negate the responsibility that God has placed on us to walk, live, and be the example of Christ to our children, family, and those whose eyes are on us.  If you find yourself in what some scholars call a ‘generational curse’, God has always allowed for repentance. When Israel turned from idols to serve the living God, the “curse” was broken and God saved them (Judges 3:9, 15; 1 Samuel 12:10-11). Yes, God promised to visit Israel’s sin upon the third and fourth generations, but in the very next verse He promised that He would show “love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:6). In other words, God’s grace lasts a thousand times longer than His wrath.  The answer is salvation through Jesus Christ. A Christian is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). How can a child of God still be under God’s curse (Romans 8:1)? The cure for a “generational curse” is repentance of the sin in question, faith in Christ, and a life consecrated to the Lord (Romans 12:1-2).

9.       When tempted, think futuristically.  Dwell on the rewards ahead that far out way a momentary pleasure. Click here to read about the rewards of obedience.

10.   When being confronted with a temptation, confront it with scripture.   If the entire focus is turned on us by looking at temptation just from a humanistic perspective, we’ll be swept away by the lies of the enemy. The reason is that the human heart is very wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). We’ll do our best to come up with all kinds of terrible excuses in order to give in. The tempter came to Him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every Word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:3-4). Think about ‘What would Jesus do ‘WWJD’?  Christ’s response to Satan’s temptations: In the first temptation which is found in (Matthew 4:2-4) we see that Christ emphasizes why we should rely on the Word of God. In the second one which is found in (Matthew 4:5-7), we see that Christ affirms His identity.  Your identity shapes your beliefs, and actions. 

   Do you know who you are in Christ? Each of us who have accepted Christ as our Savior has been made into a new creation by God Himself (2 Corinthians 5:17) that new creation –with its new identity– comes with a description of who we are. Once and for all, we have been forgiven, declared innocent (justified), blood bought, made holy (sanctified), become Jesus’ brothers and joint heirs of God’s kingdom, given the righteousness of God, changed from being God’s enemy to being His friend, joined with Christ eternally as His bride.   Lastly, in the third one which is also found in (Matthew 4:7-10), Christ asserts His responsibility to God the Father. We have to lay a hold of the Word of God, then we have to affirm our identity in Christ, then we have to understand that our responsibility to God is only what matters when facing the lies that the enemy and this world throws at us.

   

   The old identity –what men do, and whom women relate with– is part of our flesh and it stays with us as long as our physical bodies walk this earth. However, our new God-given identity is spiritual when we put our trust in Jesus. Our flesh and our spirit –with their respective identities– are in conflict with each other –battling it out in our minds –justifying their own existence –rationalizing their behavior. And all the while, the ways of the spirit cannot gratify the flesh and the ways of the flesh cannot please the spirit.  They absolutely cannot coincide (Galatians 5:16-26). Each morning when you arise read these verses aloud.  These are the scriptures confirming your identity in Christ.  This will not only encourage you, but help you in your moments of weakness.  This will also shut up the voices of this world, and those around you who are trying to label you otherwise. (Luke 15:22-24), (Romans 6:8-11), (Ephesians 5:7-10), (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), (1 John 3:10) , (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)  

Don’t get caught up in legalism and fear your every move!  We are saved by grace, and not by works, but that doesn’t mean we keep pushing the limit!  1 John 5:18.  God fully expects us to do our part, and He has made it possible to do it!  It isn’t just about having enough faith; it’s about standing your ground through the Holy Spirit, and actively pursuing righteousness at whatever cost!  It isn’t going to be easy, though I’ve heard stories about how an addict became miraculously cured overnight, or overcame an affair, etc..

 

However, it may cost you something.  It is a sacrificial act.  Anytime you tell your flesh to step aside to allow the Holy Spirit to lead, there is going to be war!  And I mean a raging war on the inside.  It’s going to cost you some relationships, fleshly satisfaction, hurt, some tears, even some angered outburst at times, but I promise you my friend it is well worth letting go of, the treasure that God has set up for you is so much greater, so much more fulfilling then any earthly pleasure could satisfy. 1 John 2:16 ,  Revelation 3:21, 1 Timothy 6:18-19, Philippians 3:14 .  The peace of doing the right thing is enough alone!  Without peace you have NOTHING!   

The truth about temptation is that it involves more than the tempter.  It entangles, ensnares, and if allowed, will engulf an individual who is not prepared to plow through the temptation with every fiber of their being with the belief and reliability on Christ alone!  And to be prepared, you have to put your whole armor on.

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

What does all this have to do with forgiveness?  Everything!  Stay tuned!

-To be continued