Desperate Houswives In Real Life

Introduction: Description of how the prime time show Desperate Housewives has depicted our society with schemes, complex family problems and sexual temptation.

Transition: A man and his wife were once in a shopping mall when a young attractive woman in short dressed walked by. The husband tried not to but took a quick glance. His wife without looking up from the outfit she was examining said " Was that worth the trouble you are in?" The four "BE NOTS" of resisting temptation are as follows:

1. Be Not WINKY Vs. 7 Potipher’s wife tried to seduce Joseph with her eyes. She was in essence flirting. Joseph did not do the same.

A. As Christians we must be careful about what message we send with our words and our body language. Prov. 6:24-25

B. What we look at shapes who we are ( our soul ) Luke 11:34-36

C. What we look at effects what we are likely to do. The Bible warns us not to even look at intoxicating wine. ( Proverbs 23:31 )

2. Be Not WHIMPY Vs. 8,12 The word REFUSED in this passage is used twice and it indicates that Joseph was forcefully unwilling to give in to Potiphers wifes seduction. Joseph left her holding his garment as he forced his arms out and fled!

A. The Devils temptation is always forceful. He is a roaring lion seeking whom He may devour. ( 1 Peter 5:8 )

B. In the Spiritual we must be forceful. We are to cast down, demolish and bring to captivity any thought that exalts itself above God. These are violent actions! ( 2 Corinthians 10:4 )

C. We must be forceful when it comes to our flesh and beat it into submission. ( 1 Corinthians 9:27 )We must never tell people not to beat themselves up over sin!

3. Be Not "WISHY WASHY" Vs. 10 Joseph has clear convictions . Convictions are strong beliefs formed by our conscience in the powert of the Holy Spirit in response to the word of God. 1 Thessalonians 1:5

A. We unlike Joseph have the indweling presence of the Holy Spirit and the completed Word of God. Our convictions should be very strong. The Bible strengthens our convictions. It gives our conscience something to work with. Psalm 119:9-11.

Be Not WORDY Vs. 10 Joseph did not spend too much time negotiating with Potiphers wifes proposal. When tempted our actions speak louder than our words.

A. In the garden Eve was set up for failure because she engadged too lonmg in conversation with the serpent.

B. The reason why Joseph was able to resist temptation is because he made no provosion for the flesh. ( Romans 13:11-14 )

C. We are to submit ourselves to God and resist the Devil. ( James 4:7 )We cannot defeat temptation by doing just one of them. God will not resist for us.

D. Joseph learned to flee youthful lusts before he fled potiphers wife. ( 2 Timothy 2:22 )

Closing: It has been said: "When you flee temptation do not leave a forwarding address."