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Three Secrets for
Sexual Purity
by Bill Allison
David LOVED GOD with all his heart... - Solomon was the WISEST MAN who ever lived...
- Sampson was the STRONGEST MAN of his day...
What do these three renown men have in common?
All three are famous for their struggles--and failures--with sexual
purity.
Here's the really scary part:
- David probably loved God more than you or I.
- Solomon was most likely smarter than you or I.
- Sampson was probably stronger than you or I.
If these people--who were more godly, smarter, and stronger than most--failed
in sexual purity, where does that leave us regular people?
That's why I have such a deep appreciation for Joseph. For some reason
Joseph was able to look at a very tempting offer for sex outside of God's
boundary of marriage and somehow had the inner fortitude to say "No!"
Unlike David, Solomon, and Sampson, Joseph was actually able to resist
sexual temptation. Let's pick up his story in Genesis 39:6...
"Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his
master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, 'Come to bed with me!' But
he refused."
Did you get that? He refused! What made him different than all the others?
How was Joseph able to look a very tempting offer in the eyes and still
win when most others would have taken the bait?
I believe the next several verses show us JOSEPH'S THREE SECRETS
FOR LIVING A SEXUALLY PURE LIFE. You would do well to note these
three secrets and apply them to your own sexual purity journey.
SECRET #1: SEE BEYOND THE CHEESE!
"'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. 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?'" (39:8-9)
Note that Joseph responded to the invitation for sex with Potiphar's
wife by rehearsing a litany of blessings he would forfeit if he sinned
sexually. He was quick to point out the potential damage and long term
consequences that such a foolish act would have in his life. For Joseph,
the potential damage included:
- violating his master's trust
- forfeiting his position and livelihood
- and doing great damage to his relationship with God (Genesis 39:8-9).
Joseph knew specifically what a single act of sexual indiscretion would
cost him! It's as if Joseph had beforehand carefully calculated what he
would lose if he engaged in sexual sin and then used that calculation
to guide his decision to resist the temptation.
We MUST be like Joseph in this regard! Could it be that, because we
don't keep the consequences in front of us, we are prone to wander?
 We
are too much like the mouse who sees and smells the cheese in the seductive,
waiting death trap and gives in only to pay a terrible price. Instead
of seeing a sexual temptation as it really is--a threat to EVERYTHING
God has blessed us with--we let the sight and smell of the cheese take
over our logic and like the mouse pay the dreadful price!
Let me ask you a sobering question: What would you damage and lose if
you engaged in sexual sin? Be specific.
I challenge you to make a list--an actual written list and list EVERYTHING
that would be in jeopardy or lost. When your mind is wandering or on days
you feel particularly weak and vulnerable, carry your list with you and
hold it up to any sexual temptation that comes your way. Regularly remind
yourself of exactly what you would be throwing away IF you fail to resist.
Clearly, a few minutes of fleshly pleasure cannot be worth the long-term
damage and pain your behavior would inflict on your relationship with
God, your integrity, your spouse, your children, and your friends--just
to name a few cogent consequences! Be like Joseph: see beyond the cheese.
SECRET #2: STAY AWAY FROM THE CHEESE!
"And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to
bed with her or even be with her" (39:10).
Once Joseph knew that Potiphar's wife was interested in him sexually,
he refused to--even be with her. Here Joseph's strategy is avoidance--stay
away from the cheese! (I know you are starting to think that this extended
cheese metaphor is cheesy--but you must know I'm going to MILK it for
all that I can.) The point here is this: Don't put yourself in the position
to fail to begin with
If the mouse just wants to swing by the death trap to look and smell
the cheese--I'm guessing there is a high probability that in the morning
we're going to have a dead mouse! The best way to beat the cheese is to
stay away from the cheese.
If you struggle with alcohol, don't stop by the local tavern for a bag
of chips and a soda! Stay away from the cheese!
Sound like extreme advice? Does it sound like I'm afraid? I'm scared
to death and I also believe this fear is healthy! This is precisely what
it means to stay away from the cheese!
SECRET #3: IF THE CHEESE COMES LOOKING FOR YOU--RUN!
"One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none
of the household servants was inside. 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" (39:11-12).
As a last resort, Joseph physically removed himself from the sexual temptation
by running away from it! Is this a strong man of God one who runs away
from the opportunity to sin? Is this a godly model for us to follow? YES!
When it comes to sexual sin in particular, running away putting distance
between you and the opportunity to sin is an extremely wise choice. When
it comes to sexual sin, it is better to run away and not sin, than to
stand, fight, and lose! There is NO shame in running, but there is a lifetime
of pain and shame for staying and capitulating.
OK... you now know Joseph's secrets for sexual purity. When it comes
to living a sexually pure life, the real question is: Will you be a David?
A Solomon? A Sampson?
Or will you intentionally put a purity plan in place NOW so you can
be a Joseph?
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More Great Downloadable Resources to Help You
Become a Joseph
PDFs of single
chapters from the book, Grow, Minister, and Lead for just a buck!
 Joseph's
Secrets for Sexual Purity--PDF
A much greater exploration of Joseph's secrets--including?a list of fifteen
"little steps" that can ultimately lead to adultery, practical
ideas for developing a strategy for sexual purity, and an in-depth Bible
study/personal application section.
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How to Find and Be a Great Accountability Partner--PDF
This chapter explores the whys, whats, and hows of finding and
being a great accountability partner and also includes an in-depth Bible
study/personal application section.
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MP3 Audio Download: Joseph's Secrets for Sexual Purity
Here's a thirty minute MP3 audio download that explores Joseph's secrets
for sexual purity in an encouraging, engaging, and energetic conversation
between two accountability partners.
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MP3 Audio Download: How to Find and Be a Great Accountability
Partner
Here's a thirty minute MP3 audio download that explores the whys, whats,
and hows of finding and being a great accountability partner? in an encouraging,
engaging, and energetic conversation between two accountability partners.
ORDER
ONLINE
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For discount use the coupon code: PURITY
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