"Staying Pure in an Ungodly Environment"

        You are sitting at lunch with your co-workers, and one of them gives the punchline to an inappropriate joke, what do you do? As you leave your place of employment to head home, a car cuts in front of you tempting you to lose your temper and unleash all the ungodly words that you have heard all day into the empty air in your vehicle. Day after day, you step into an environment, that although it has friendly people, it attacks a spirit-led, Christian life. Invitations to alcohol, immoral relationships are woven in the fabric of many such work environments. 

        I would, as a pastor that does not have to experience much at all that you do, say that I am not giving you instruction from my personal experience, but from the Bible. In Genesis chapter thirty-seven we are introduced to a young man by the name of Joseph. Shortly after meeting this young Hebrew boy, he is sold as a slave into the house of Potiphar in the far country of Egypt. This, to put it very mildly, is a hostile, ungodly environment. He is far from home, and soon you see his boss' wife propositioning him. Does he fall? No, he does not. 

        First, he does not fall because he feared His God. "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God," he asked this very immoral lady. This decision did come from just being afraid of the ramifications to his job, or what others may think, it went much deeper than that. It was because of the God He served. We might as well understand that while we are in this sinful world, we will be tried and tested. Persecution and temptation will come, (II Timothy 3:12) but how will we handle it? I like what my mentor, Dr. Tom Farrell said, "Trusted men are Tested men." 

        Secondly, he does not fall because he was focused on His God. Does your Christianity just appear on Sunday mornings, or are you a 24/7 Christian? Can people at work see Christ in your life? This appears in many ways. The way you speak, dress, work, and whether you laugh at that suggestive joke or not. It does not matter if you whoop it up in the pew on Sunday, if you cuss it out on Monday. "How a farmer milks his cows may say more about his faith than his shouting conspicuous 'amens' throughout the pastor's sermons." 

        Thirdly, he does not fall because he is fortified in grace. It will be tough to live for God in a place that is antigod. But I am thankful we are not alone in our fight. God will give us the strength that we need. He will give us the courage we need. By the way, as Bro. Butler also said, "It does not require much courage to live for Christ amidst a sympathetic crowd. Where courage is required is when one is surrounded by the ungodly."

        Lastly, Joseph does not fall because he flees this situation. As has many times has been said, "he lost his coat, but he kept his character." John Butler in his commentary on Joseph said, "We cannot control our reputation, but we can control our character." Joseph controlled his character, he got out of there! In 2002, our former Vice President, Mike Pence gave the statement that he would never be alone with a woman other than his wife, Karen. In recent years, many have made light of his decision, even criticizing him. Mr. Pence understood that if kept himself out of compromising situations, he would save himself from wrong decisions. There may be times that you may have to excuse yourself from a situation that you know will most certainly bring you harm. 

        While some of us may not work in an "Ungodly Environment," we all live in an ungodly world, and must always be on our guard. Let us take the example of Joseph, and live pure in an ungodly environment.