We've been doing this series about “Teaching Your Children”, and we have taught them about loving God; it's the first and most important thing, then we talked about “repentance”, we talked about “honour” and last week we started to talk about “work”; we understand that there's going to be up and down seasons in our lives, but in the end, God is going to make all things beautiful in its time. Because all things “work” together for the good to those who love God… but, it's going to take time.
We talked about the seasons in the life of Joseph; we identified 18 different seasons and talked about “chaos”, “calling”, the “conflict”, the “conundrum”, “conspiracy”, the “casting into the pit”, the being “carried away” and finally that there is a “Commander in chief” who was the Lord who's putting all the seasons together.
The next season that I am looking at is called “Consent?” with a question mark. Because the enemy is looking to derail God’s plans for your life, but he requires your “consent.“ This is where the enemy uses our desire for self gratification and places temptation in front of us, like Potiphar’s wife was to Joseph.
Genesis 39:7 And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”
Potiphar's wife has got longing eyes; and the devil wants to take Joseph down through her seductions. The devil is looking for him to consent to his temptation. But the Bible tells us not to. Proverbs 1:10 “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” Don't consent; if you give into temptation, sin will rule your house.
Sin is enticing; it's exciting; it gratifies the flesh, it makes us feel good for a time; and it's very tempting and addictive whether it's sex, pornography, food, drugs, gambling; money, fame, or fortune. But as God said to Cain, sin desires to master you, but you have to master it - you have the power to say “No.”
There is a lie that has been perpetuated in our society that: “You, as a human being, are subject to base animal instincts and you do not have the power to say “No” to temptation. “This philosophy has led to all kinds of harmful and evil strategies in our world. But the word of God says different; as a believer, the Holy Spirit gives you the ability to say “NO.”
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (NIV)
So, on our journey through the seasons of life, we need to learn to not give consent to the devil. Joseph gave an emphatic “No” to Potiphar’s wife, and although that led to a false accusation, God used it all to bring about his plan for Joseph and His people.
Join us in person on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. or via livestream by going to https://www.firstbaptistsudbury.com and clicking on livestream for “The Power to Say No.”
Blessings,
Kevin
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