Flirting with Temptation

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
- James 4:7

Got temptation in your life? The answer is yes, whether you recognize it or not.

Let me start by saying; I’m going against almost all theological consensus with this one, so don’t take my word for it. Test it.

I’ve always been amazed how in Genesis 37 & 39 the history of Joseph is portrayed theologically. There are endless debates about whether or not he was arrogant and prideful sharing his dreams with his brothers and parents in chapter 37. However, in Genesis 39, he is always seen as the perfect model of resistance to temptation. But he was human in both.

God makes no comment against Joseph for sharing his dreams, and God gave them to him. However, there IS a response from God concerning the temptation.

Briefly, in Genesis 39, Joseph is a servant in Potiphar’s house. He is made master over the house with only Potiphar above him. He is “handsome in form and appearance.” A looker! And Potiphar’s wife notices and “cast longing eyes” on him and repeatedly asks him to sleep with her. He righteously refuses time and again. Until…

One day, Joseph entered the house and no one else was around. Potiphar’s wife catches him by his garment and tries to force him to sleep with her. Joseph flees the house and leaves his garment behind. She then uses the garment to falsely accuse Joseph of trying to take advantage of her, and Potiphar throws him in prison.

For all of church history this has been used a prime example of how to resist temptation. However, there is some commentary in the scripture which raises questions for me. Why was he in the house when no one else was around? That was definitely against the culture. How’d she get him out of his garment? And two verses which are really intriguing: Genesis 39:13 & 21.

Verse 13, “And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside,…” Like it was a surprise. A realization. It doesn’t say, she kept the garment she pulled off of him. But he left it.

Verse 21, “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, …” Why mercy (or kindness in other translations)? If Joseph did everything right, he deserved justice not mercy.

I could be completely wrong on this, but I feel we are reading a story where a good looking man was wooed by a woman. He knew what was right, but flirted with the temptation. He allowed himself to be in a compromising position. In the end, he resisted and fled from the temptation, but still suffered consequences for flirting with it. And God showed him mercy. He provided a way out.

I don’t know about you, but far too often I have flirted with temptation. I’ve stood on the fringes and peered in, with eyes of longing. There is a cost. There is always a cost to taking our eyes off of Christ looking for satisfaction anywhere else; “but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

James 4:7 holds the key, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” The key is not simply to resist the temptation. The way out is to submit to God. Turn to Him. Allow Him to work through your life to overcome. He provides the way out. He gives us the ability to resist. He guides our steps to keep us out of those circumstances.

It doesn’t matter where you are on the road to temptation (being confronted with it for the first time, or it already holds your garment) the answer is the same turn and run to the Lord. Submit to Him. Even if you have given in, the answer remains the same. Run into the loving arms of Christ. There you will find mercy and grace!

Whether, I’m wrong about Joseph or not, the answer to temptation remains the same. There is a way out! Mercy and grace await. Submit to the Lord and He will provide. He is the way out!

© 2026 Warren Martin. All rights Reserved.