6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” 8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. 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 39:6 – 9, New International Version)
Theme: The Wisdom of Discipline
Title: Discipline and Defiance
Reflection:
Many disciplined individuals at times exhibit a defiant or stubborn streak in the face of powerful opposition. When obstacles arise, they stick to their resolve and focus on their goals. Defiance is sometimes viewed negatively, but used wisely it works hand in hand with discipline.
As I reflect on today’s Scripture passage I am struck by Joseph’s resolve. Potiphar’s wife had power over him, but he proudly opposed her authority, defied instant gratification, and submitted to the highest authority, God. This kind of defiance marked Joseph as a man of integrity. This character trait was exhibited by Joseph in other circumstances as well. For example, despite having every right to be angry with his brothers who mistreated him, Joseph demonstrated the resolve to show them kindness. A real nugget for me in the passage is Joseph’s motivation to be defiant. He was determined not to sin against God.
Conclusion:
To be disciplined we can benefit from the kind of defiance that says, “How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” If we are tempted to think that Joseph’s defiance is beyond us we are reminded that “we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.” (2 Corinthians 4:7 – 9)
When discipline requires defiance, what encourages you most to stick to your resolve?
Contributor: Karen Christie
March 19, 2025 at 5:34 am
Having a consistent testimony of my faith in God in my office is a motivation. My peers and directs know I proclaim to be a Christ follower and I want to be an example. I learned early in my career, in a situation where my actions weren’t aligned to my faith, I was called out. It became clear that they were watching. They expected me to be discipline in my testimony.
March 19, 2025 at 7:39 am
I stick to my faith and belief that God sees my heart, my suffering and everything that is going on in my life. I stay vigilant in prayer and reflecting on God’s goodness to me in the past. This will keep me going and with my resolve that the Lord will help me or answer my prayer in His perfect timing.
March 19, 2025 at 8:03 am
“When discipline requires defiance, what encourages me most to stick to my resolve?”
Indeed, knowing that “we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us,” (2 Cor.4:7), is powerful for me. This reminds me both i) of power, that I am not on my own, that we have His “all-surpassing power”, so can overcome, and ii) of motivation, that we have a transcendent purpose, “to show” Him off, tapping into deep motivation. “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
Another verse that speaks to the first point is 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV,
[13] No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And 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 stand up under it.
March 19, 2025 at 8:15 am
Actions have consequences. I believe that as a child of God, if I do something outside of his will, I will get my punishment eventually. I don’t want God to punish me.
One thing I know about myself is that it is hard to convince me to change my beliefs about certain things. I made a decision years and years ago that there are certain things I would never do. Not only do I know God is seeing everything I do, but deep down I know I would be ashamed of my own self if I did certain things out of God’s will. I also wouldn’t want my actions to affect my children negatively.
Just as there is punishment for living out of God‘s will, there are blessings for living in his will. Knowing this is enough encouragement for me to just “stick to my guns” and do what’s right no matter the circumstances.
March 19, 2025 at 12:08 pm
My testimony before others is a very compelling factor that encourages me to stick to my resolve. A story that sticks out to me from a young age was going to the US embassy to get a visa and I was coached what to say, but during the interview I spoke the truth and was denied a visa and was the only one that couldn’t go on the vacation. However my testimony spoke volumes to those who knew and that’s what was more important to me even from a young child. 2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
March 20, 2025 at 2:23 pm
Powerful testimony LadyK. Thanks for sharing 🙏
March 19, 2025 at 9:36 pm
Very good nugget! I think that as I strengthen myself with the word I become more disciplined. When it comes to things that would throw me off course, I need to find that godly motivation to defy whatever might shake me within my discipline. I think what encourages me to stick with my resolve is that God has a plan for me and that plan will help me to prosper. The only way that things would go off course is by my own disobedience or lack of discipline. I can choose to make the right choice in order to prevent suffering from going off the path.