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How to Say "No" When Lust Says "Yes"

Artwork for Staying Pure in a World Gone Wild

James 1:13–18 teaches us that in order for lust to “conceive,” there must be the joining together of inner desires with outer “bait.” If there is no joining of these two forces, sin is not present. The best illustration of this truth is when Jesus refused to yield to temptation’s enticing invitation (Matthew 4:1–11). It’s not the bait that constitutes sin; it’s the bite! Joseph understood this and refused to let his desire run wild when Potiphar’s wife enticed him to sin. We want to understand why and how Joseph said no when lust’s offer was pleading for him to answer yes.