0196. Samson Loses Out with God
Samson Loses Out with God
"Then went Samson to Gaza" (Jdg_16:1).
There are several distinct steps in Samson’s downfall, and these steps covered quite a period of time. We do not stumble and fall, all in one moment. The backslider slowly, and often imperceptibly, wanders away from God. Let us mark some of Samson’s downward steps.
1. Samson went to Gaza. This was the enemies’ country. We do not read that the Lord sent him down that way. He did not go to bear witness for his God; he went to satisfy his own desires.
Think of it! A man separated unto God, going to Gaza! Yet, that is just what we see around us every day. Christians are called saints. Christians are a people separated and consecrated unto God, then why are so many running with the world? Should Christians like the onions and the garlic and the melons of Egypt? Should Christians loathe the delicacies of Canaan’s land?
Something must be wrong, somewhere. Perhaps the great majority of these people, going down to Gaza, are not saved. If they are saved they will learn to regret the day of their drifting. Those who go to Gaza will feel the rebuke of their Lord; they will suffer keenly, for every moment they spend away from the Father’s domains.
2. Samson saw there an harlot. He laid his head in her lap.
This harlot, Delilah, was a child of Belial. She lured Samson deeper and deeper into her clutches, until he at last gave up his secret concerning the source of his power. With the shearing of Samson’s head he broke his Nazarite vow, which he had kept from a babe, and cut his fellowship with God.
When believers go down into the world and play with sin’s pleasures they are sure to lose their place of power. All the power we have is wholly dependent upon our connection with the risen Christ, through the Holy Spirit. When we break connections, the power is gone. We may shake ourselves and try to testify as in the days of old, but our testimony will be powerless and lifeless.
3. Samson failed sadly in this, also, that he sought to use his God-given power to satisfy his own selfish desires. It was not always in Israel’s behalf, nor in behalf of God’s glory, that Samson used his strength. He seemed to think that his power was given him to foster his own selfish whims and schemes.
Simon Magus sinned after this sort. He wanted the Holy Ghost in order that he might use the Holy Ghost; not in order that he might be used by Him. Let us walk carefully, lest we fall after the same example of unbelief. We greatly sin, if we want our services to be blessed of God, in order that we may be reckoned by the church or by the world as some great one.
4. One other thing might be mentioned. We fear that Samson lost out, by yielding himself over to foolish jesting. A funny story may have its place, and a trick or two, may be permissible, but one is on dangerous ground when they allow jokes and tricks to become a part of their make-up.
Even ministers sometimes are known more for their jestings than for their piety. Things ought not so to be. Our conversation should always be seasoned with salt. As for filthy communications, such things are an abomination before God, and should forever be put away from us.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR