Running Away From Sin

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Daily Devotions with Pastor Chuck

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From Genesis we read,

“And it cam about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, ‘Lie with me.’ But he refused, and said to his master’s wife . . . . ‘How then could I do this great evil, and sin against God.'” (Genesis 39:7-9 – NASB)

Joseph had been put in charge of all that Potipher, the Egyptian officer, owned. He was a young man, and great responsibility had been given him. He most likely was what we would call, a good=looking man (see V-6), and his physical appearance appealed to Potipher’s wife and she attempted to seduce the young Hebrew and get him to commit an act of “sin” with her, and she said to him, “Lie with me.” She wanted to commit adultery with Joseph.

Sin has a most powerful draw! Note this text regarding sin in Genesis 4,

“Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at your door, and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” (Genesis 4:6-7 – NASB)

Whoa . . . . “sin is crouching at your door!” It is as if “sin” is a living entity, some sort of creepy thing that actually lurks around us. God notes to Cain that “its desire is for you.” This destructive force that holds sway over men, this thing that reeks of rebellion against the Creator, it is something that has a “desire” and that “desire” is to destroy us, to cause us to “sin against God.” Here, in Cain’s situation, “sin desired” to have him murder his brother.

We see two different reactions to this thing called “sin” in our texts. In one instance “Cain” would give into it and its evil intent, and he would rise up and slay his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8), while in the other instance, “Joseph” would not allow himself to be seduced by “his master’s wife” (Genesis 39:10-12), and instead of committing “sin” with her, he would run from her! He did not allow “sin’s desire” to overtake him and instead, knowing God’s will, he was “master” over “it.”

Brethren . . . . “sin” is a most terrible thing! There is no doubt that its “desire” is to be “master” over us. The Bible clearly tells us not to allow it to have sway over us, for “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), separation from God. “Sin” is such a destructive and powerful force that only by Jesus going to the cross could its power be destroyed.

Take note that “sin is crouching at your door.” Understand that “its desire is for you.” And when it rears its ugly head do as “Joseph” did . . . . run! And say,