We Can Remain Chaste

Conclusion of  "BECOME DOERS OF THE WORD"

Joseph acted wisely in this regard.  When the wife of his master, Potiphar, tried to seduce him, Joseph rejected her efforts.  But she did not give up. Day after day, she invited him to remain with her. (Genesis 39:7, 8, 10) According to one Bible scholar, Potiphar's wife was, in effect, saying:  " 'Let's just be on our own together for a little,' in the hope of making [Joseph] take the first step."  However, Joseph was determined never to encourage, or even tolerate, her seductive overtures.  He refused her flirtations, and he would not flirt  with her, thus preventing any wrong desire from taking root in his heart. When she tried force him to have sexual relations with her, Joseph acted decisively. "He left his garment in her hand and fled outside." -Genesis 39:12.

The Bible also alerts us to the dangers of allowing our eyes to lead  our heart astray. A roving eye can awaken  or intensify wrong sexual desires. Jesus warned that "everyone who keeps on looking at woman so as to have passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28)    (the same goes for the woman who looks that way at a man)   Recall what happened in King David's case.  "From the rooftop [David] saw a woman bathing." (2 Samuel 11:2 He failed to look away and to direct his thoughts elsewhere.  That led him to desire a woman who was someone else's wife and to take steps to commit adultery with her.

In order to combat immoral fantasies, we need to "make a covenant with  our eyes," as did faithful Job.  (Job 31:1, 7, 9) We must solemnly  decide to control our eyes an do not allow them to gaze with immoral lust at another person. That would include  averting our gaze from sexually charged images, be they on a computer screen, a billboard, a magazine cover, or anywhere else. 

If any of what has been presented so far has identified areas in which you could be more effective in your fight  against wrongful desires, take immediate action. Willingly submit to the counsel of God's Word, which can help you avoid wrongdoing and thus remain chaste. -Read James 1:21-25. 

Next time: We Can Remain Chaste - "CALL THE ELDERS" 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015