You’ll Get Through This Week 3 — Stupid Won’t Fix Stupid

Just do what pleases God! ~ Max

Do what is right as a sacrifice to the Lord. — Psalm 4:5

Welcome to week three of the You’ll Get Through This Online Bible Study with Max Lucado. This week we’re talking about probably the biggest stumbling block in all of history: temptation.

I love that the story of Potiphar’s wife is included in the Bible. It’s juicy, lascivious, and scandalous. She’s a vixen, a siren, and a tool of the enemy to throw ol’ Joe off his destiny.

Remember, Joseph was trusted. Side note: Royal households were served by eunuchs because, to protect bloodlines, virile young men weren’t allowed to be around the kings’ women. That’s how much Potiphar trusted our friend Joe. But, there was a problem…

Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man. — Genesis 39:6

Do you know how many men in the Bible are described as good looking? Five.

David (Psalm 45:2), his sons Absalom (2 Samuel 14:25) and Adonijah (1 Kings 1:6), and his predecessor Saul (1 Samuel 19:2). For the record, Moses is described as “beautiful before God” but that probably refers to his character. It’s kind of like saying “well, he has a good personality” when someone asks if he’s a babe.

But, Joe?.. Joe was Robert Redford. Denzel Washington. Matthew McConaughey.

And, his beauty got him in trouble with Potiphar’s hot-to-trot wife!

I love Joe’s response to the constant temptation from Mrs. P. He scooped up his testosterone, said “No way!” and RAN! Go, Joe, GO!

How many people do you know who demolished their lives (and oftentimes everyone’s around them) with foolish, destructive, stupid behavior?

You don’t fix a struggling marriage with an affair. You don’t fix a drug problem with more drugs. You don’t fix financial insolvency with more debt. You don’t make matters better by doing something worse. You don’t fix stupid with stupid. ~ Max

As a single woman, I know something about myself. I can’t watch romantic movies if there’s sex. I just can’t have that in my head. I made a commitment to God that my body is His, so I don’t mess around with temptation. Ever. Red light. Do not pass Go. Absolutely not. Forget it. Especially temptation in my mind because that would lead straight to a pit I don’t want to fall into!

But, here’s the thing for all of us when temptation pounces unexpectedly. The Lord always leaves a way out. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Always. And Joseph took it!

One act of carnality is a poor exchange for a lifetime of lost legacy. ~ Max

Don’t do foolish things.

They’re never worth it.

Think before you make decisions. Especially in a crisis, don’t make any decisions you don’t have to make! Give it time. And gather wisdom from people you trust. Don’t buy anything you can’t afford. Don’t quit your job without another one waiting. [For Heaven’s sake, don’t cut your hair because, honey, you will regret those new bangs!]

And, most of all, don’t have coffee or lunch with someone pretending “it’s just lunch”. If everything inside of you is saying this is trouble, you know it is. Listen.

Sin leads to more sin. It gets easier and easier. But, obedience to God builds muscle. The more you obey, the easier it becomes.

Are you being tempted? Maybe even tempted sexually? You are certainly not alone! But, friend, choose wisely.

What do you want your legacy to be? I want to be known as a woman of God. I want my kids to know that Jesus is #1 for me. So, I’m going to fight for it!

How about you?

This week in your study:

1. Watch the video for session three on our study home page. Take notes in your study guide on pages 43-46 and then stick around for the conversation with our OBS community!
2. Go through the study questions with your group or on your own on pages 47-52.
3. Read chapter 4 in the You’ll Get Through This book.
4. Grab your Bible and enjoy your personal study this week on pages 53-58.
5. Join the conversations about the study and in our private Facebook group.

Scriptures this Week

Genesis 39:6-8
Genesis 39:10
Psalm 4:5

Prayer for the Week

Jesus, we love You. Thank You that You understand the lure of temptation and have compassion on us. Thank You that You always give us a way out that we can take if we choose it. Help us to remember the people we love and the legacy we want to leave behind. Help us to be wise and not stupid with our choices! We want to honor You, Lord. We love You, Jesus. Amen.