Many years ago on the island of Cape Hatteras, off the shore of North Carolina, there were men whose business it was to get ships to run aground on the shoals just off the island. These men were "wreckers" who made their living gathering up the parts and cargo of such ships. These men would walk back and forth along the shore with lighted lanterns at night. The ships’ captains would mistake that bobbing light for the stern light of a ship they supposed had found safe passage. They would turn inland and run aground. In the morning the wreckers would come and gather the timber for new houses, utensils for their kitchens, and money for their purses. It was a thriving business.
Followers of Christ have always been faced with “spiritual wreckers” who are far more dangerous than the wreckers on Cape Hatteras. These spiritual wreckers can ruin our lives and “run us aground” on the false values of the world. Traditionally the church has spoken of three types of wreckers: the world; the flesh, and the devil. They combine together to offer temptation to everyone, but especially to Christians, those who seek to live moral lives.
We need to help each other in the church to face these spiritual wreckers. Those who need the most help are our young people who go off to college. They face the most difficult years of their lives in regard to their moral choices. They can either have their faith affirmed while they are away from home or they can “run aground” in light of the moral choices they will have to make.
Such temptations are not new to today’s college-age population. One of the oldest records of a young adult who resisted temptation was Joseph, whose story of temptation is told in Genesis 39. I do not have room here to recount his story; I urge you to read it for yourself, especially if you are a young adult leaving home for college or work. However, in a recent study of Joseph’s temptation, I came across a list by James Montgomery Boice of six factors that make a temptation like Joseph’s so dangerous.
(1) The temptation was a natural temptation – that is, it appealed to a right and normal appetite. Some temptations, for instance a temptation to murder or steal, are not normal. A temptation to sexual sin, however, appeals to a right and proper and even God-given appetite or desire. Today sexual temptation comes at us from every direction in images and messages that suggest nothing can be wrong if it feels good.
(2) The temptation came away from home. A good home is a restraining influence on the behavior of children as they grow older. Thus the destruction of families in America goes hand-in-hand with the decline in moral values. This is what makes it so possible for good Christian young people to go away to college and fall into sin and away from God.
(3) The temptation came from an important woman. If Joseph pleased Potiphar’s wife, it would secure his advancement, but if he crossed her, Joseph would make her his foe and ruin his hopes. All kinds of people who are in positions of authority, including college officials, can tempt us and thus put us in the kind of bind Joseph faced.
(4) The temptation came after an important promotion. Joseph had been put in charge of running Potiphar’s household. Moments of success and advancement in college and business can make you vulnerable to those who would take advantage of you.
(5) The temptation came repeatedly. Genesis 39 tells us that Potiphar’s wife kept on trying to seduce Joseph. Sometimes Satan can wear down even the strongest believer by coming at us time and time again until our resistance is worn down by the repeated attacks.
(6) The temptation seized the perfect opportunity. Potiphar’s wife was very careful. She caught him when no one else was in the house. Satan often whispers to us, “No one will know…”
We will face temptation that we need to resist. As Boice suggests they will come in ways that make us the most vulnerable. Put yourself in a position to resist. Don’t let yourself fall to a temptation that can follow you for the rest of your life. Set up relationships in your life and in the church that will help you and others resist and thus maintain a positive witness for our Lord and keep us faithful to him.
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