In middle school I remember a lie someone started about me – it was wild and far from true. Even though I knew the truth, the lie existing gutted me. My middle school confidence never hit a real high point (it’s middle school… does any one have great middle school confidence?), but nothing tanked my confidence as this lie. Did people believe it? With only 14 people in my class, I assumed everyone already heard (especially with one very talented rumor spreader), but who really cared? Who was really talking in detail about it? The lie followed with a few days of middle school hateful classics – notes on desk, snide remarks whispered, or the rare and bold to-the-face comment. Regardless, I kept falling back to the one truth – I knew the rumor was just that, a rumor – a lie. Still hurt. Still left wounds. But didn’t change the truth.

When Rumors are Bad…Really bad.

Working through the story of Joseph, I almost skimmed over the allegations of Potiphar’s wife. Who hasn’t had someone in middle or high school (or adulthood) spread a nasty rumor? The population of people who haven’t experienced a lie shared about them feels slim, so why open wounds to memories of middle school hallways? Well, because it isn’t about the lie, but the truth.

In Genesis 39 we first see Joseph working under the orders of Potiphar who bought him from the Ishmaelites (39:1) and nearly immediately we read that “The LORD was with Joseph…” (39:2a). With all words of the Bible being orchestrated in a perfect order, I notice how the Word calls attention to the presence of God before remarking on the success of Joseph (39:2b). Joseph made an impact in his work for Potiphar because God was actively working in Joseph’s life preparing him for things to come.

Joseph’s work produced such success it was visible for outsiders to notice and Potiphar noticed! He put Joseph in charge of “all that he had” (39:4b) and for the sake of Joseph (39:5), the LORD blessed Potiphar’s home.

Success Catches Attention

Success catches attention – both good and bad. When Joseph shared his dreams, his father quietly recognized the potential power of them while Joseph’s brothers rejected him. As dreams attract both positive and negative reactions, so does success. We see Potiphar respond with trust and a status upgrade to the great work of Joseph. In a movie, this would be considered the rise before the fall. We find hope for Joseph and grow to respect Potiphar, and then we come up against conflict. Joseph’s success certainly wasn’t the only thing to catch the attention of Potiphar’s wife… again, no word is in the Bible on accident and time was taken to let us as readers know that Joseph was a good looking dude. The Message paraphrase says Joseph was strikingly handsome.

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.

Genesis 39:6b, ESV, Holy Bible

Joseph, strikingly handsome, successful, and clearly set-apart in some way found himself in the sights of Potiphar’s wife. She becomes infatuated with Joseph and extends an invitation she thought he couldn’t refuse. Ahh! But he does! Double ahh! Conflict. Conflict. Tension. Tension. Put yourself there – you see the wife watching Joseph intently over the course of several days. You overhear the invitation and wait anxiously to hear the response – knowing the consequences of either option. HE SAYS NO! At this point, I would RUN and pretend I heard NOTHING. The same success which found Joseph in the favor of Potiphar also lead to temptation.

We don’t know how long this goes on, but we do read she would speak to Joseph day after day – he wouldn’t listen and continued to reject her invitations (39:10) But one day…

…one day, when the men of the house were gone she caught onto his clothing, extended the invitation once more, and when Joseph fled from the temptation she clung to his clothing. It rips off into her hands and now she has her prop for revenge. After days of rejection, she would win one way or another.

Dreams & Detours

Dreams of Joseph. Conflict. Sold.

Rise of Joseph. Conflict. Fall.

She tells her husband the lie crafted to hurt Joseph claiming he tried to seduce her. Hurt people hurt people. Potiphar sends Joseph to prison (Gen 39: 20).

But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love…

Genesis 39:21a, ESV, Holy Bible

I need you to read the next part slowly, carefully, and in mind with every lie told about you and you’ve told to yourself.

The lie doesn’t change the truth. God walked with Joseph as he was sold into slavery. He stood with Joseph as he found favor and success in the house of Potiphar. God was with Joseph as he was taken to prison after being falsely accused.

If you are chasing a God sized dream – a calling from God – lies will seek to attack the success of the Lord in your life. You will tell yourself lies. People will lie to distract, deter, or directly destroy your success.

• I am not a good enough teacher to reach students in their lives.
• She would be better at leading, I am not a leader.
• I don’t have the bravery to start conversations.
• He has the look for it, I just don’t.
• I am not enough.
• I am too awkward for anyone to want to be around me.
• Someone told you in middle school you weren’t good at math/writing/school/speaking and you believed it without question.
• Your sibling outshines you on the basketball court, so since you aren’t as good you aren’t good at all.
• I have too much sin baggage for God to want me to tell people about him.

How to survive the rumor mill? With the truth.

I see it far too much – people believing the lie and failing to trust in the truth that never changes. God is with you and with this truth, let’s fight against the lies and rumors. He…

• …leads you to your classroom for a purpose.
• … is made perfect in your weakness.
• … all you need.
• … is the ultimate comforter.
• … is the ultimate King and leader – if he is in you, you are a leader.
• … created you in his image, you look the part.
• … is the teacher and counselor of your soul – believe what he says about you.
• … sees your hard work, even if it feels like others outshine you.
• … has your sin paid for in full and doesn’t give it a second thought.

The lie doesn’t change the truth.

Once in prison, Joseph sees success and the keeper of the prison shows Joseph favor and puts Joseph in charge because whatever Joseph did, the LORD made it succeed (39:23b)

Can’t stop. Won’t stop.

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