I heard a great message today by Dr. Bill Henard, president of the Kentucky Baptist convention, about Integrity. He looked at Joseph's reaction to temptation in Potiphar's house in Genesis 39:1-9.
I love the description of Joseph's reactions to temptation..."but he refused," "day after day," "did not listen," "he left," & "he fled."
Dr.Henard's three applicational points were:
1)Know when to say no
2)Don't compromise with temptation
3)God rewards the faithfulness of His people
A definition of integrity? "Choosing to do what is right in the eyes of God even when no one is looking"
Another example of a Biblical response to temptation...look to Christ's example in Matthew 4:1-11 when He is tempted by the Devil. That passage convicts me of my need to have Scripture always ready as a defense and a weapon against Satan!
Artwork attached is:
Satan Tempting Christ to Change Stones into Bread, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1635/1640