Honoring God With Our Bodies

Read Genesis 39:6-12. 

Did you notice?  Joseph was a very morally upright man.  He made righteous choices in the midst of the advances from another man's wife.  He didn't cave into temptation.  He obeyed God! 

God instructs all of His children to "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body."  (1 Corinthians 6:18, NIV)  

Not only do you sin against your own body but you also sin against God [if you have accepted Him into your heart and life].  Depending on the situation, you sin against others as well.  For example:  If Joseph had given into the temptation; he would have sinned against Potiphar, Potiphar's wife, and God. 

However, Joseph got out of there.  He knew what was right in the situation with Potiphar's wife.  Every born-again believer knows the right thing to do in any similar situation.  They must take action though just like Joseph did in his situation. 

Read Genesis 39:13-23.

Unfortunately, Potiphar's wife wasn't as honorable as Joseph in this case.  She lied to her husband about the situation with Joseph.  She framed Joseph even though he hadn't done anything wrong.  Of course, Potiphar believed his wife's lies.  What spouse wouldn't believe their own spouse over someone else!  The result:  Potiphar took Joseph and put him prison. 

Look at v 21.  Though, Joseph was initially mistreated and betrayed by Potiphar's wife and Potiphar himself..."the Lord was with him; He showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden." (Genesis 39:21, NIV) 

Now, look back at Genesis 39:20-23. 

Isn't that awesome?!?!  It not only shows God's unconditional love, kindness, and goodness to Joseph but even when everything was going in the wrong direction for him---God still took care of him.  Joseph was obedient to God.  He made wise choices in the midst of a terrible circumstance.  God looked out for him though. 

God is faithful!  And, Joseph honored God by being obedient and making right choices.  Therefore, Joseph ultimately honored God in everything that he said and did with his body.  (Colossians 3:17)  As Children of God, let's also choose to honor God with our bodies in every way. 

[This story is only one prime example from God's word about His provision and blessings for our obedience.]


Copyright 2014 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.