Genesis 39:1-20

Brothers and sisters, today we turn our hearts to a story of integrity, of righteousness in the face of temptation, of standing firm even when the cost is high. It is the story of Joseph, a man who walked with God, and yet, despite his faithfulness, found himself in the depths of suffering.

Joseph had been betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and carried off to Egypt. But even in the house of bondage, the Lord was with him. The Word tells us that Joseph was purchased by Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard. And because the Lord’s favor rested upon him, Joseph prospered in all he did. Potiphar saw that everything Joseph touched was blessed, and so he placed him in charge of his entire household.

Oh, what a testimony! That even in slavery, the presence of God could lift a man up, causing him to excel beyond his circumstances. But, church, whenever God’s favor is upon you, know that the enemy is not far behind.

The Bible says that Joseph was “handsome in form and appearance,” and soon, Potiphar’s wife set her eyes upon him. Day after day, she pursued him, enticing him, tempting him, saying, “Lie with me.”

Now, Joseph was a young man, far from home, a slave in a foreign land. It would have been easy to rationalize. No one would know. No one would see. He had been wronged, betrayed—why should he not take what was offered to him? But, church, righteousness is not built on convenience. Integrity does not depend on who is watching.

And so, Joseph refused. He said, “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”

Hear me now—he didn’t say, “How can I do this and get caught?” He didn’t say, “How can I do this and betray Potiphar?” No, Joseph’s concern was first and foremost with God. Because true integrity is not just about what people see—it is about the unseen. It is about what we do when no one is watching, about whom we choose to honor in the private moments of our lives.

But Potiphar’s wife would not relent. One day, she grabbed him by his garment, demanding that he lie with her. And what did Joseph do? He fled! He left his robe in her hands and ran.

Oh, my friends, sometimes the only way to overcome temptation is to run! There are some battles you do not argue with, some fights you do not engage in—you must flee! There are places you cannot linger, conversations you cannot entertain, relationships you must cut off, because righteousness requires action.

But here is the truth, beloved doing the right thing does not always bring an immediate reward. Sometimes, it brings suffering.

When Potiphar’s wife saw that Joseph had rejected her, she was filled with rage. She twisted the story, crying out that Joseph had tried to take advantage of her, using the very garment he left behind as false evidence against him. And when Potiphar heard this, he burned with anger and threw Joseph into prison.

Now, I ask you, church—where was God? Joseph had done everything right. He had honored his master. He had honored God. And yet, instead of being rewarded, he was condemned. How many of us have found ourselves in such a place? Where we chose integrity, we chose righteousness, and yet we suffered for it?

But hear me today—Joseph was not forsaken. Though he was bound in chains, God was still with him. Though the world had turned against him, the favor of the Lord had not departed. Because righteousness may bring suffering, but God honors faithfulness!

We see this truth repeated throughout Scripture. Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den for his faithfulness, but God shut the mouths of the lions. The three Hebrew boys were cast into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow, but God stood in the fire with them. Jesus Himself was crucified for righteousness’ sake, but on the third day, He rose again in victory!

And Joseph—though he was cast into prison, he would not remain there. God was setting him up for something greater.

So, my brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing good. Do not compromise your integrity for momentary gain. There may be suffering in righteousness, but there is also honor. There may be trials in obedience, but there is also promotion.

Hold fast to the Lord, walk in His ways, and in due time, He will lift you up. Because the same God who was with Joseph in Potiphar’s house, and with him in the prison, would soon place him in the palace.

And what God did for Joseph, He will do for you.

Amen.