What Do I Do with Temptation and a No-Win Situation?
Editor's Note: Dr. Roger Barrier went to be with the Lord on February 16th, 2024. Dr. Barrier's family is honoring his legacy by continuing the ministry of Ask Roger and preachitteachit.org for years to come as they share more than two thousand still-unpublished sermons and Ask Roger articles. All articles authored by Dr. Barrier that are published and republished are done posthumously.
Dear Brie,
I’m stuck in a situation where I just can’t win. My boss is asking me to overlook some financial issues or lose my job. I can’t afford to quit; but I also can’t compromise my integrity like that. I keep thinking it would be ok because my boss says, “No one will know.” But I’LL know. And even more than that, God will know. Is there any biblical guidance about a situation like this?
Sincerely, Kate
Hi Kate! I’m glad you reached out. I think we’ve all been in a similar situation… probably many of them.
Let’s start here, with some blunt truth.
You can’t outgrow temptation. You can’t out-pray temptation. You can’t “out-age” temptation. You simply can’t avoid temptation.
Temptation has been part of the human condition since the snake tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, and she decided to eat that fruit. She was tempted to “become like God;” and she opened the door to sin for all of her offspring… including you and me.
But God didn’t leave us at the mercy of temptation. He allowed us to see numerous Old Testament and New Testament accounts of His followers overcoming temptation… and He gave us the tools we need to refuse and resist it.
Joseph, Potiphar, and the No-Win Situation
Let’s look together at Genesis 39. You’ll recognize this account, I’m sure.
Joseph, the son of Jacob, has been betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery. He entered the house of Potiphar as a slave, and he lived a faithful life that God blessed greatly.
But then, Potiphar’s wife noticed that Joseph was one handsome man. Blatantly, unashamedly, she tried to entice Joseph into her bed (Genesis 39:6-7).
Notice Joseph’s immediate response. It was so fast and strong, I think he’d noticed her interest, thought through his response, and practiced it for just that day. “He refused,” saying, “My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:8-9).
She asked, again and again, day after day, and he not only refused to go to bed with her; he refused to even be in her presence.
Then, Joseph got into a “no-win” situation.
He was making the right decision. He was honoring God. And yet, one day she cornered him and grabbed him by his garment. Joseph did the only thing he could possibly do to retain his purity. He RAN.
Right response. Unfortunately, Potiphar’s wife was an angry, vindictive woman. She held onto his cloak and screamed until her husband came home. She showed him Joseph’s cloak, accusing him of coming on to her. Of course, Potiphar “burned with anger” (Genesis 39:19), and he condemned Joseph to prison.
Imagine how Joseph must have felt.
“God, I refused her!” “Lord, I resisted temptation!” “I honored you!” “Why, why would you let me be treated this way?”
I’ve been there. Have you?
What Happens When Temptation Comes Our Way?
Temptation hits. We recognize it for the lie it is … we hope. Sometimes it is tough to recognize Satan’s insidious temptation. That’s why I encourage you to pray and put on your armor of God daily (Ephesians 6:10-18). He gives us that belt of truth and shield of faith so we can see and fight back against Satan’s wiles.
So now what? Do we give in, rationalizing that we deserve whatever temptation offers? Or do we imagine that it won’t hurt anyone or that no one will know?
Or do we stand strong like Joseph did?
God intervened for Joseph in the darkest of moments. While he was in the king’s prison, Joseph found favor in the eyes of the warden. Again, his integrity and ability led to great favor.
Through an incredible set of God-orchestrated circumstances, Joseph came to Pharaoh’s attention as an interpreter of dreams. When Pharaoh revealed very disturbing dreams that his “magicians” could not interpret, Joseph was able to proclaim the simple truth. He predicted seven years of plenty and seven years of famine, then provided Pharaoh with a wise plan for Egypt’s survival.
Pharaoh was deeply impressed, and he put Joseph, a former slave, in charge of all the land of Egypt. Joseph was there to care for the nation in times of abundance and to shepherd them through the subsequent famine—even saving the lives of his traitorous brothers.
Because Joseph refused to give in to temptation during a “no-win” situation, “God sent [him] to preserve for you [his family] a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance” (Genesis 45:7).
And don’t miss this. Joseph’s beloved brother, Benjamin, the brother God gave him the opportunity to save, became an ancestor of our ultimate Savior, Jesus Christ.
We Can Overcome Temptation! Here’s How:
Let’s take a moment to consider the promises and tools Jesus gave us as we handle temptation in our own lives:
1. PRAY for GOD’S DELIVERANCE: In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus encourages us to pray that God will not “lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13).
2. BE AWARE: He calls us to “watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38).
3. PRAY for PROTECTION: Jesus “said to them, Pray that you will not fall into temptation” (Luke 22:40).
4. BE CONFIDENT in HIS PROTECTION and PROVISION: “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
5. AVOID the TRAP of FOOLISH DESIRES: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:9).
6. PUT TEMPTATION into PERSPECTIVE: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials and temptations of many kinds … for the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3).
When I look at all of these promises together, I can’t help but feel encouraged. Jesus knew temptation. God understands temptation. And don’t miss this … even temptation has a purpose. When we endure it without giving in, “the testing of our faith produces perseverance.”
Well, Kate, I hope this encourages you today. I hold on to those verses mentioned above every day—I even had James 1:2 tattooed on my forearm recently, so that I can look at it whenever I feel discouraged by temptation, trials, or suffering. God promises that enduring those difficulties will bring perseverance. Hold onto that promise with me when you face your next temptation!
Love, Brie
Related Resource: How to Walk in Freedom When You Face Temptation
Temptation is something we face daily as Christians. Whether you have been struggling with the same temptation and have given up hope, or are confident and ready to walk in victory, I hope today's episode gives you hope and excitement in walking in freedom. Like what you hear? Subscribe to Bought + Beloved with Kirby Kelly on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/kyonntra
Brie Barrier Wetherbee is a sought-after Bible teacher and conference speaker, author, analyst, and Christian theologian.
This Ask Roger article may feature insights from Roger's wife, Dr. Julie Barrier, co-founder of Preach It, Teach It, worship minister, concert artist, and adjunct professor at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, or his daughter, Brie Barrier Wetherbee, a sought-after Bible teacher and conference speaker, author, analyst, and Christian theologian.
Originally published July 08, 2025.
