Character is an attribute of identity. From
a positive viewpoint character refers to integrity and morality, but in the
negative sense it refers to being untrustworthy. Joseph’s character was based
on his relationship with God. His character was severely tested when Potiphar’s
wife attempted to seduce him, but he refused her advances.
A
person's character is revealed when standing against evil that’s embedded within
temptation. Joseph did not contend with "should I or shouldn't I" when
faced with temptation. His rational mind vetoed temptation’s emotional sway
because he realized if temptation were permitted to infiltrate his emotions, he
would be vulnerable to its snare.
C. S.
Lewis addressed the problem of temptation in his book Mere Christianity by stating, "A man who gives in to
temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like
an hour later. That is why bad people in one sense know very little about
badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. We never find
out the struggle of an evil impulse inside of us until we try to fight
it."Christ Jesus
will give you strength and the will to fight temptation’s evil snare as you
determine never to give in.
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Blessed is the one
who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive
the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
~James 1:12 New
International Version
