Samson was a man of great influence and power. He had direct access to the inexhaustible economy of God’s might. He could project and execute any intervention that required the expression of power and dominance. That great strength was given to him for a purpose – to liberate his people from oppression and bondage. Looking at him demonstrating his God-given strength, you would think that he was a master at what he did. But he failed to master his emotions.
Samson lacked character ethics and grit. How often has our lack of character ethic and grit disgraced us! We get to the place where we ought to display ‘full strength’ but because we have not stored up enough character currency, we fail to access the great treasure of the strength that God has made available to us. Thus, we contribute to the perversion of purpose and the disappointing humiliation of grace, as it were, in our lives!
Samson became careless and the beautifully enormous strength of his might was gone. Carelessness hurts our plans, purpose, and essence. But he thought that his toying with the secret of his power was a child’s play. “And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.” (Judges 16:20 KJV). He was oblivious to the fact that his power had evaporated. Don’t wake up from your ‘sleep’ only to discover that your power and influence over the people or the things that God has set you over has evaporated. The faith of ‘I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself.’ will not save you then.
I am sure that sometimes, some persons who claim that they have no weaknesses, character flaws, and even besetting sins to deal with because they have been saved and Christ has taken everything away, get embarrassed when some of those ugly whims raise their heads and manifest through them in unexpected places! Imagine an outburst of anger and insulting utterances on the pulpit! Imagine the demonstration of resentment and bitterness towards rather innocent people to the observation of the people that respect us but know the scriptures. Imagine a believer getting involved in a gambling spree or Ponzi scheme (covetousness), claiming it is God’s blessing …
Don’t be so sure of yourself. It is not enough to ‘claim’ victory over besetting sins. Sit down and deal with any uncanny trait in your life. Jesus has procured grace for you. Key into that grace by dealing with any shady thing that raises its head against the knowledge of God in your life.
Deal with bitterness.
Deal with anger.
Deal with covetousness.
Deal with animosity and resentment.
Deal with gossip and character assassination.
Deal with lust and selfishness.
Deal with greed and the love of money.
Deal with materialism and worldliness.
Deal with crafting and deceptive dispositions.
Deal with pettiness and becoming easily irritable.
Deal with every single ugly trait.
Then, you are ready for the abundant life that Jesus died to bequeath.
Shalom.