"And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her." (Gen 39:10).
There is this story of a woman who was known for being very positive about everything and everyone. She would never say a bad word about anyone, but would always find something good to say about people, even those that others considered bad. One day, some people were talking about her and her positive attitude. One of them said, "I bet if we asked her about the devil, she would even find something good to say about him." They decided to try. They asked her, "What do you think about the devil? She replied, "I'll say this for him, he's very persistent. He never stops trying"
If it is ever right to ask you to emulate something from the devil, it would be his persistent nature.Wouldn't it be wonderful if God's people were as persistent in evangelism, loving others, spreading God's agenda, persuading people, in prayer, in reading and acting on the word as Satan is in spreading his own agenda, tempting and corrupting people. Satan never relents, give up or rest. He is ever looking for opportunities to carry out his evil agenda. When he sniffs a lead or spots and opening, he will follow it to the very end. When he gets a foothold in a person's life, he wouldn't stop until he makes every effort to possess the person. Then he will persist until he gets their family and when he gets a family, he will fight to keep them from generation to generation.
This strategy of persistence can be seen in our text today. Potiphar's wife, influenced by Satan, did not ask Joseph for sex once. She kept on asking him everyday. We are not told the number of days but we can be sure it was enough days to make a less resolute saint give in to her advances. This is satan's strategy: to keep repeating a temptation, a suggestion, a method of attack without letting, until he wears you down and you give up or give in.
When satan tempted Jesus in Luke 4, it was said that, "When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time." (vs 13). Even though Jesus resisted him and overcame his multiple temptations at that time, the devil still planned to be back when an opportunity showed up.
The lesson for us in this? Don't think because you just experienced victory over a temptation from satan today, that he's not coming back. He is still coming back with the same temptation in another form. He is still coming back to try and get you back into that habit you just broke. The temptation for drugs, a drink, depression, illicit sex, pornography, to curse etc is still coming. The sickness you got healed of will still try to return. The bondage you were prayed for about that got broken will still try to wrap its chains around you again. Jesus even said, when demons are cast out, they will come back to the house they left to see if there's still space for them and their pals.
"When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation." (Matt 12:43-45)
Be prepared. Resistance cannot be a past thing. It should be continual because the battle is a continual one. Whatever you have faced in the past, you will face again. It came as a lion and a bear before. Next it will come as a Goliath. The good thing is that if you have developed your slinging skills in dealing with the lion and the bear, Goliath is just a way to show others how to get a-head in life.
Is there a persistent temptation in your life? Something that keeps coming day after day like the seduction of Potiphar's wife? It might be a guy or girl always pressuring you for sex or an acquaintance with unceasing enticement to compromise your values. Don't let it wear you down. Don't give in because of its persistence. Keep resisting. Remember the injunction of Peter.
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. " (1 Peter 5:8,9)
Don't forget also, that attack is the best method of resistance and defense. Rather than wait for the devil to keep coming with his attack, get him busy defending himself by taking the battle to his gates. Be a persistent torment to his kingdom by staying in the word and taking the gospel to the lost. He can't handle people with such attitudes.
Decision of the Day
I understand that the devil is persistent. He will keep coming day after day with the same temptations in order to trip me. I will not relent in my resistance. My victory yesterday does not guarantee victory today. I must continually depend on God, persisting in resisting, staying in His word and being on the offensive. Victory is mine in Christ.
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