Joseph and Potiphar's Wife
The sermon teaches that God delivers us from all evils, but we must also be mindful of our actions and avoid situations that may lead to temptation.
Clement of Rome preaches about the story of Joseph, highlighting his faithfulness, wisdom, and fear of God in the face of temptation from Potiphar's wife. Despite her persistent advances, Joseph remained steadfast and righteous, ultimately being delivered by God from the evils brought upon him. Clement emphasizes the importance of avoiding constant association with women and maidens to maintain purity, chastity, and a reverent fear of God.
Text
There is Joseph, faithful, and intelligent, and wise, and who feared God in everything. Did not a woman conceive an excessive passion for the beauty of this chaste and upright man? And, when he would not yield and consent to gratify her passionate desire, she cast the righteous man into every kind of distress and torment, to within a little of death, by bearing false witness. But God delivered him from all the evils that came upon him through this wretched woman. You see, my brethren, what distresses the constant sight of the person of the Egyptian woman brought upon the righteous man.
Therefore, let us not be constantly with women, nor with maidens. For this is not profitable for those who truly wish to gird up their loins.
For it is required that we love the sisters in all purity and chasteness, and with all curbing of thought, in the fear of God, not associating constantly with them, nor finding access to them at every hour.
Sermon Outline
- Introduction to Joseph's Story
- The Consequences of Temptation
- God's Deliverance
- Application for Believers
- Love sisters in purity and chasteness
- Fear God and curb thoughts
Key Quotes
“You see, my brethren, what distresses the constant sight of the person of the Egyptian woman brought upon the righteous man.” — Clement of Rome
“For it is required that we love the sisters in all purity and chasteness, and with all curbing of thought, in the fear of God,” — Clement of Rome
Application Points
- We should love sisters in all purity and chasteness, and with all curbing of thought, in the fear of God.
- Constant association with women can lead to temptation and sin, and is not profitable for those who truly wish to gird up their loins.
- We can avoid temptation by fearing God, curbing our thoughts, and being mindful of our actions.