BUT you must rule over it. (Genesis 4:7)

 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? 

BUT if you do not do what is right, 

sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, BUT you must rule over it.”

Genesis 4:7

As my children were growing up and especially when they hit the teenage years I would simply tell them to "Do right" when they left the house.
 By this time in life I prayed I had given them enough guidance. 
There was no list of rules that I could give them 
because human nature would lead them to find one I hadn't mentioned. 
This verse captures that concept beautifully. 
As we go into this new year I challenge us to "Do right" 
The enemy desires to have you.
 BUT you must RULE over it.  
Remember "Doing Right" is not a list of rules you impress on others 
BUT what you know in your heart to be true. 

BUT God did say (Genesis 3:2-3)

The woman said to the serpent,

“We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 

BUT God did say,

‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ”

Genesis 3:2-3 NIV

It seems we all think Eve was the cause of all bad things. BUT what would you have done in this situation? It is easy to say "No way, if God himself told me something I would have listened" Well I challenge you today, what has God told you? Are you listening? will you be deceived by the master of this world?

BUT he left his cloak (Joseph Gen 39:11-12)

 One day he(Joseph) went into the house to
attend to his duties, 
and none of the household servants was inside.  
She (the masters wife)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.

Gen 39:11-12
Do feel trapped or tempted? Learn from Joseph's actions and RUN!

BUT... he refused (Gen 39:6-8)

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”

But he refused. 
“With me in charge,” he told her,

 “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; 

everything he owns he has entrusted to my care

Gen 39:6-8

Joseph is presented with one of the greatest temptation to mankind! BUT his strength came from the Lord and he was not only able to resist!! 

are you tempted by something today? remember God is bigger then it!

BUT... while Joseph was in prison (Joseph Gen 39:20)

But while Joseph was in prison, 
the LORD was with him; 

he showed him kindness. 

Genesis 39:20
Joseph may have been in a literal prion, BUT what kind of prison are you in today? Are you fearful, worried, jealous? Remember the Lord is with you and wants to comfort you where you are at.

BUT when his brothers saw (Genesis 37:4)

BUT...

when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

Genesis 37:4

This is for all the parents out there and maybe even teachers. Be careful with having "favorites" your blessings don't balance out the hatred that comes from others. (by the way I am God's favorite JK) :) 

BUT... God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20)

"As for you, you meant evil against me, 

BUT...

 God meant it for good

 in order to bring about this present result,

to preserve many people alive.

Gen 50:20

I love this passage and it is one I often meditate on when bad things happen. Just think Joseph's brothers sought out to kill him because they were jealous. BUT God saved him the pit they had thrown him in. Joseph became the ruler over Israel which included his brothers!

God is so good. He's got your back!