Scripture reading: I Corinthians 6:15–20

Here’s to You, Mrs. Potiphar

His master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said,
“Come to bed with me!” (Genesis 39:7)

Most Baby Boomers will remember Simon and Garfunkel’s Grammy Award-winning song Mrs. Robinson. Written for the movie The Graduate (1967), the lyrics allude to the sordid story of a middle-aged woman played by Ann Bancroft who seduces a 21-year-old college student played by Dustin Hoffman. The song and the movie are classic examples of the self-absorbed hedonism that so often characterized that generation. I’m struck by the similarities between the Mrs. Robinson of The Graduate and the Mrs. Potiphar of Genesis 39. The two temptresses have much in common. But I’m even more impressed by the contrast between Joseph and Benjamin Braddock, the character played by Dustin Hoffman. Joseph succeeded where Benjamin failed. He resisted the seductions of the temptress and stood strong in the face of temptation! I have taken liberties with the original lyrics that still have the power to speak to a generation and offer my own rendition of a song, which I pray will give new insight into the power of the Gospel to enable a young man to live a holy life in an unholy world.

And here’s to you Mrs. Potiphar,
Jesus loves you more than you will know. Wo, wo wo.
Turn from your sin, Mrs. Potiphar
There’s still time to change your ways and pray. Hey, hey, hey . . . hey, hey, hey.

We’d like for you to know what God thinks of someone like you
We’d like to help you change your ways
For women who seduce and capture young men in their arms
Will with their victims burn in hell.

Koo-koo-ka-choo, Mrs. Potiphar
Beneath your plastic face and painted eyes. Wo, wo, wo.
We see the slut you truly are
Lusting like a spider for some prey. Hey, hey, hey. . . . hey, hey, hey.

What’s that you say, Mrs. Potiphar
Your marriage stinks, your husband’s far away. Wo, wo, wo.
And so you think, Mrs. Potiphar
You have the right to make your bed and play. Hey, hey, hey. . . . hey, hey, hey.

Sitting here in church on Sunday morning in my pew,
Listening to the preacher, preach the Word.
Will I laugh or will I cry? Oh, how will I respond?
Every way I look, I have to choose!

Where have you gone, Joseph, Jacob’s son,
Our nation wonders if there is a man. Wo, wo, wo.
Who can withstand Mrs. Potiphar
Resist her charms and turn and run away. Hey, hey, hey . . . hey, hey, hey.

Jesus Christ can cleanse a heart and make it strong and pure
He can take a man and make him new!
So if Mrs. Potiphar is knocking at your door
Let Jesus go and answer it for you!

[You] must fight fire with fire. The fire of lust’s pleasures must be
fought with the fire of God’s pleasures . . . We must swallow up the little flicker of lust’s pleasure in the conflagration of holy satisfaction.
—John Piper

point to ponder • What can you do today to reduce the power of sexual temptation in your life and in the lives of those you love?

prayer focus • Those who daily face sexual temptation.