As you tear yourself from the encircling arms of the enchantress!

(Thomas Guthrie, 1803-1873)

"She caught him by his cloak and said, 'Come to bed with me!' But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house!" Genesis 39:12

Let me warn you that such a holy life as the text enjoins, is impossible to all but those who are on their guard against the beginnings of evil. Take alarm at an evil thought, wish, or desire! These are the germs of sin - the floating seeds which drop into the heart, and finding in our natural corruption a fat and favorable soil, spring up into actual transgressions. These, like the rattle of the snake, or the hiss of the serpent - reveal the presence and nearness of danger!

The experience of all holy men proves that sin is most easily crushed in the bud - and that it is safer to flee from temptation than to fight it. Fight like a man when you cannot avoid the battle - but rather flee than fight.

Be afraid of temptation - avoid it - abhor it!

Let your answer, as you tear yourself from the encircling arms of the enchantress, and seek safety in flight - be that of Joseph's: "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God!" Genesis 39:9