Do You Have A Clean Conscience

Unit 11 – Hard Times

Lesson 30 – Joseph, A Prisoner in Egypt – Genesis 39:21-40:23

1. Aim: To lead the people to understand that those who keep a clear conscience before God will continue to enjoy His blessings despite their outward circumstances.

2. Explanation of the Aim: When people falsely accuse you of doing something wrong remember how Joseph responded in a similar situation. Instead of trying to exact revenge on his accusers Joseph remained true to God in prison as he did when he was in the lap of luxury. Help the people see that our moral choices are not situationally dependent.

3. The Bible Story: Potiphar’s wife wanted to sleep with Joseph, but the man of God said, “How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God? And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.” (Gen. 39:9,10)

Godly people refuse to give into temptation no matter how attractive it is, no more matter how long it lasts or no matter who is offering it. Joseph teaches us that immorality is always wrong. Joseph bravely faces the false accusations of Potiphars’ wife because he is given a peace in his heart from God. When we are obedient with God we do not have to mind the turbulence around us.

4. Prepare to Teach: The INTRODUCTION is designed to help the people understand why Biblical absolute about morality never change despite society’s eroding moral standards. Ask the people if anyone knows the definition of immorality? Immorality is anything that is contradictory to God’s moral standards of purity, honesty and blamelessness especially in regards to sexual matters. What does the Bible mean when it says,

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Col. 3:5)

THE BIBLE STORY explains how Joseph is put into prison because he is falsely accused of having sexual relations with Potiphar’s wife. We learn how the injustice of men does not hinder the just workings of God.

THE MEANING FOR OUR LIVES helps the people make applications regarding the avoidance of any indiscrete immoral acts or attitudes. Allow the people to pray with one friend to apply the principles found in Col. 3:5,6.

Introduction

Help the people to understand why Biblical absolute about morality never change despite society’s eroding moral standards. Explain the difference between absolute Biblical moral and the changing relative values of cultures.

Ask the people if anyone knows the definition of immorality? Immorality is anything that is contradictory to God’s moral standards of purity, honesty and blamelessness especially in regards to sexual matters. What does the Bible mean when it says, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Col. 3:5)

The Bible Story

Joseph teaches us how a pure man of God is able to escape from temptations regardless of what criticisms may be leveled against him. The wife of Potiphar, having tried in vain to make him a guilty man, endeavoured to be avenged on him. People who have broken the bonds of modesty, will never be held by the bonds of truth. It is no new thing for the best of men to be falsely accused of the worst of crimes, by those who themselves are the worst of criminals. It is well there is a day of discovery coming, in which all shall appear in their true characters.

Let us know that Joseph, like Jesus Christ, was allowed to pass through terrible times of temptation for God’s purposes. God gave both Joseph and Jesus great grace to endure the false accusations heaped upon them from people of the world. Sometimes what looks like a defeat by the world is really victory in God’s sight when the righteous do what they are led to do.

The world also thought Jesus was defeated and utterly shamed when they nailed Him to a cross. However, the reality of victory in trials, became manifestly clear to the entire world in the fullness of God’s timing. Let us learn that God’s timing is perfect and all of His ways lead to blessings. Refuse to become bitter, resentful or angry when you are falsely accused. Allow the Lord to be your shield, defender and rescuer from all difficulties.

When trials come regard them as a badge of honor because you can know that the Lord has chosen you to be promoted through a university of tears. Paul wrote, “If indeed we share His sufferings in ordr that we may also share in His glory. For I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Rom. 8:17,18) The Lord always uses every adversity to prepare us for something better.