Most Christians are familiar with the promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that God will provide a way of escape when we face temptation. What we don’t often consider is that sometimes the way of escape is our feet! Sometimes fleeing the temptation is the way to avoid succumbing to it (2 Timothy 2:22).

In Egypt, Joseph was made the chief steward in the house of Potiphar, a royal official. Potiphar turned over to Joseph the management of his house, servants, and possessions. All Potiphar did was show up for meals, and Joseph took care of everything else (Genesis 39:6). Being “handsome in form and appearance,” Joseph soon caught the eye of Potiphar’s wife who tried to seduce him. But Joseph refused and fled, refusing to sin against God (Genesis 39:9). When Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of disloyalty to her husband, Potiphar threw Joseph in prison. Though unjustly accused and imprisoned, Joseph’s conscience before God was clear.

The next time you face a temptation see if God’s way of escape involves you fleeing the scene.

Holiness is not freedom from temptation, but power to overcome temptation.
G. Campbell Morgan