Scripture to Read: Judges 16:1–17
Samson not only had an anger problem, but he also had a problem with the lust of the flesh. He used women for his pleasure and was easily swayed by them. Delilah was one of those women he was easily swayed by. She asked him three different times what it would take to overcome him. He lied to her all three times, but nonetheless, she actually tried what he had told her, revealing that she was willingly handing him over to the Philistines. Samson’s lust for her was so entrenched that it blinded him to how she had sought to bind him so the Philistines could kill him. It’s hard to imagine being that stupid and blind, but that is what sin does: it blinds us to reality and the consequences that await us. Delilah was diligent too, for in Judges 16:16, we read, “she pressed him daily with her words and urged him, that his soul was annoyed to death.” She couldn’t care less about Samson, for she loved money much more and she knew she’d receive 1,100 pieces of silver if the Philistines could overtake Samson. That amount of silver was more than 140 pounds. Samson finally gave in and told Delilah his secret about his strength (Judges 16:17). The enemy knows our weaknesses as well and will be relentless in seeking to get us to give in to our fleshly desires and to disobey and dishonor our Lord. We must crucify our fleshly desires constantly (Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 6:14) and always live for Christ our King.
Challenge & Application
What were Samson’s weaknesses and what did he not do that he should have done to overcome his weaknesses?
What must we do to overcome our weaknesses and to stay on the right path with our Lord Jesus Christ?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!