Judges 16

 

1.      Strong man—weak will: I want it. I deserve it. I can handle it.
2.      Satan loves to make strong men weak. God makes weak men strong.
3.      Emotion driven not spirit led. Anger/Pride: I am the Main Character!
4.      Let your need drive you to God—He will meet your deepest need.

Samson was thirsty and Cried out to God!

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19 Then God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned and he revived. So the spring was called En Hakkore (Spring of the Caller), and it is still there in Lehi. 20 Samson led Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines. Judg 15:19-20

He got on the right track and there was 20 years of peace, prosperity, relative freedom as a result! This is the best news so far! He falls, cries out to God and God lifts him up!

Looks like he put his problems behind him. But, we will soon find Samson with his eyes gouged out and he becomes a laughing stock!

So, how does Samson go from 20 years of victory to ruin?

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SAMSON DIDN’T RUIN HIS LIFE ALL AT ONCE. HE RUINED IT ONE STEP AT A TIME.

SMALL STEPS TOWARD BIG DESTRUCTION

 

Judges 16:1

One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute.

He was on the hilltop with God and then “one day”…

He is not alone, “one day”—David and Bathsheba (II Samuel 11)

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Samson goes to Gaza—Philistine headquarters, Public enemy #1.

Gaza is 25 miles from Samson’s home town Zorah.

He traveled 25 miles to risk 20 years of faithfulness.

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Who could be stupid enough to risk so much for so little?

Countless men do it every day.

 

3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; 4 but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. 6 She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not. 7 Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. 8 Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, 9 lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel, 10 lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man's house. 11 At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. Prov 5:3-11

 

How many steps would this take?

25 miles: 56,250 steps

 

That means for 56,250 steps, Samson had to think about what he was doing and was probably fighting the Holy Spirit the whole time. No man plans to mess up there lives.

“My 10 year goal is to become a total failure through sex addiction.” Nope – no man says that but one click on the computer in secrecy turns to another then another and sudden your marriage is in ruins because the way you view intimacy is totally skewed. Women are now objects of temporary gratification rather than daughters of the living God.

 

But sex is not the only thing we get caught up in with this thing called lust. Boat, Golf Clubs, Cars – one step at a time to fill a void that leads to financial ruin. Then you find that you can’t go on that mission trip because your account has no funds because you blew it all on a house that was more for social status than need or a car that cost more than you should have spent and now you have $10 bucks left over for tithe and ministry – the stuff that really counts toward eternity.

 

I don’t know a single guy who strives for failure, but step-by-step – one step at a time – they follow a course to destruction.

 

SAMSON’S SMALL STEPS TOWARD HIS BIG DESTRUCTION

 

1)    SAMSON TAUNTED HIS ENEMY. 

 

Judges 16:2-3

 

Main entrance * 700 lb. doors each, estimated * - this is how I like to work out too.

 

Destroying symbol of security

 

As men, we often underestimate our enemy!

 

Lion—seeking someone to devour. I Peter 5:8 – Satan wants to destroy you. So taunting the enemy is foolishness. Even the Arch Angel Michael said “The Lord rebuke you.” (Jude 1:9) – even Michael knew that the Lord was the one who takes victory over the enemy – not us. Just as the Apostle Paul spoke to us: “Be angry, and do not sin”:do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26-27

 

We can be upset with wrong doing but if we strike back in our own might, we are being foolish and will suffer the consequences. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Deut. 32:35.

 

Many men will taunt the enemy saying to yourself “I can handle it.”

• ·      Ask your girlfriend to stay the night – I can handle it.
• ·      Go to the bar with your buddies or co-workers – I can handle it.
• ·      Look at site a porn site – I can handle it.
• ·      Smoke a joint – I can handle it.

 

12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor 10:12-13

 

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2)    SAMSON RATIONALIZED THE SAME OLD SIN.

 

4 Some time later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah. Judges 16:4  

 

No big deal, Just looking, Not going to hurt anyone, No one else’s business

If she would, I wouldn’t…I Work hard, I deserve it.

 

We are masters at rationalizing the same old sin.

 

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First step to overcoming a problem is to admit you have a problem.

God’s strength is made perfect in your weakness!

 

Involved with 3 women that we know of—all Philistines. All got him into trouble.

 

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Prov 26:11

 

Lost site of the man he was created to be!

 

 

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Judges 16:5-19

 

Look at verses 15-16 again…in the NIV:

Then she said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,' when you won't confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven't told me the secret of your great strength." 16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death.

 

Samson was strong enough to 1) kill 1000 men, 2) kill a lion, 3) carry 2, 700 lb doors—Not strong enough to lead a woman! Don’t be strong enough at work, or in academics or in sports but yet give no effort to leading a family. This is the area of greatest victory.

 

 

3)    SAMSON ASSUMED HIS DISOBEDIENCE WOULD NEVER COST HIM.

 

Judges 16:20-22

 

Samson didn’t ruin his life all at once. He ruined it one step at a time. We think if we are getting away it once – I can get away with it again.

 

1) Taunted the Enemy (temptation) and 2) Rationalized sin…now he thinks there will be 3) No Accountability or Consequence. 

 

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• ·      WHERE ARE YOU STEPPING AWAY FROM GOD?

 

Undisciplined life, anger, pride, lust, greed, gambling, addiction, passivity, workaholism, lying, - - Your hair is long (looking the part)— but inwardly your heart has drifted!

 

You are only as strong as you are honest!

 

Turn it around.

 

22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.

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Just because he’s down, doesn’t mean he’s out.

Courage to turn around! God lifts up the broken and loves taking weak men and making them strong.

 

FAILING FORWARD

 

Recap once again. Samson had an angel announce his birth (possibly the Lord Himself) and he was set apart and given a super human gift. But through his own pride, he finds himself now shackled with his eyes hollowed eyes. He is shamed with his hair cut off, laboring in prison and being the entertainment for the enemies of God.

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So what do you do when you know you’ve blown it? When you have wasted opportunities…said things you shouldn’t…done things you shouldn’t have done.

 

Women tend to find value from relationships: Hug and cry – even going to bathroom is a social, relationship action it seems.

 

Men tend to find value more often through accomplishments, achievements, conquering something - winning! This is why their work becomes their identity. Ask them who they are and they will tell you a profession. That is not who you are but what you do for a living. We get those mixed up. That car doesn’t define you – it is a mode of transportation.

 

• ·      OFTEN A MAN’S GREATEST FEAR IS FAILURE AND GREATEST PAIN IS REGRET.

 

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Betrayed wife affair                Not married—could have been.

Wife catches you porn.           Paycheck to paycheck—never get ahead.

Devastated when kids             Miserable flat marriage—sake of kids

Broken promises                     By this age, more, diff, better—failure.

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SAMSON’S STORY SHOWS US

 

Just because you failed at something doesn’t mean you’re a failure.

 

• ·      A FAILURE IS AN EVENT, NEVER A PERSON.

 

Judges 16:23-25

 

See also I Samuel 5 (where Dagon will fall before The Ark of the Covenant). Dagon is the image of a half man and half fish.

 

Temple: most holy spot Philistines territory – looked more like a Coliseum and not a typical temple: sacrifices would be made to Dagon whom they also called the god of the harvest. At this coliseum, there would have been more than 3,000 – possibly even 5,000 people gathered together – the rulers of the land of the Philistines.  

 

8 Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. 9 Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the Lord's wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness. 10 Then my enemy will see it and will be covered with shame, she who said to me, "Where is the Lord your God?" My eyes will see her downfall; even now she will be trampled underfoot like mire in the streets. Micah 7:8-11

 

TWO RESPONSES TO FAILURE

 

• ·      THE NATURAL RESPONSE IS REMORSE.
• ·      THE BETTER RESPONSE IS REPENTANCE.

 

Remorse:       Begins with feeling bad.

Becomes self doubt“I am a horrible person.”

Anger at being caught.

Blaming others… Delilah’s fault, seductive, nagging

Blaming God: Didn’t want to be chosen, ask for strength.

 

Repentance: I’m sorry. My fault. God entrusted me. Blew it.

Didn’t take vow seriously. Wanted it. Deserve it. Handle it. Anger. Pride. Took steps.

 

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There is a dangerous thing out there called group texts. How many of you have replied to your spouse about something but accidentally did so through the group text she or he just sent you? Perhaps you were sending some Song of Solomon love thoughts his or her way, or complaining about someone – a someone who happens to be in the group text? Anything like that ever happen to you? Listen…

 

Can’t un-sin—you can only repent.

 

 

~ Can’t un-sleep with the person you slept with.

~ Can’t undo the bad deal you did.

~ Can’t undo what you looked at, what you said, what you did.

 

Remorse is looking backward. Repentance is moving forward!

Don’t let past failures limit future opportunities.

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Remembers—Deliver people. Spirit stirred. Strength. Hair.

Not feel sorry for myself. Can’t change the past. Can change future.

 

All in—whatever I have left—glory of God.

Steps across a line! Not about me. All about God.

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Judges 16:26-31

 

“Give me strength just once more…”

1 chance, don’t need 2.

 

Once in his life—not about him—all about God!

 

WHEN A MAN IS DOWN, HE’S NOT OUT!

 

• ·      EVEN IN OUR FAILURES, GOD CAN STILL ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSES.

 

Never too late to do what God wants you to do.

You may be down—not out!

 

For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again. - Prov 24:16

 

19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” Ps 34:19

 

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Today, I’m pushing down the pillars…

Pride, anger, lust, greed, comparison, regrets, fear of failure, faults, wounds, hurts

 

I have been buried in the ashes and today I rise up. No longer will I drown out my sorrows but rise up to be the person God wants me to be. The pillars are coming down! I am going to finish strong!

 

If you are not dead – then you are not done!

 

It is time to MOVE FORWARD

 

1)    WHAT PILLARS ARE YOU PUSHING DOWN? Be specific with God. Look my wife gave me one item to buy at the grocery store the other day and after I spent $200, I still forgot to buy the one items she sent me out to get. We have to be specific and stick to it.

 

2)    HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT? You may be down but you are not out. Samson finished strong and so can you! It is time to man-up and stop passing the blame. Stop making spiritual things so low on the priority list. Stop making excuses! It is time to rise up only in the strength of the Lord. Die to self aggrandizement.

 

What you are going to do is hard—and you can’t do it once – it is a daily exercise.

 

ONE STEP AT A TIME TO TURN AROUND A LIFE IN RUINS.  

 

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Push down pillars and walk out of pile of regret.

It’s not enough to win the public battles but you have to win the private ones!

Just as God gave Samson supernatural physical strength—he can give you supernatural spiritual strength!

 

If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm;  24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Ps 37:23-24

 

 

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• ·      WHO IS THE REAL HERO IN THIS STORY? GOD.

 

If we are faithless, [God] will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Tim 2:13

 

Samson came to God shackled. He came to God broken.

He came to God blind. When he turned to God. God was there.

 

If you come to God shackled, broken, and blind. God will be there for you!

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“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret...” II Corinthians 7:10