Our preoccupation with sex has degenerated with recent news outlets saying young female starlets are seeing their careers take off because of sex tapes. Will this really help them?
Samson’s sexual temptation beginning in Judges 14-15 bears bitter fruit in Judges 16, which fulfills an old and true saying: “Sin always takes you farther than you want to go, keeps you longer than you want to stay, and costs you more than you are willing to pay.” Sexual sin creates personal and corporate consequences that not only can affect your life but the church’s testimony to the world. How can you break the chains of sexual sin?
Samson saw a harlot and went into her. Gazites surrounded the place waiting to kill him. Samson pulled the doors and posts of the city gate and carried them up a mountain. When the Philistines saw he coveted Delilah, they gave her 1100 pieces of silver to entice Samson to tell her the reason for his great strength so they could overpower, bind and afflict him. After Samson deceived her three times without giving the true answer, she questioned his love for her by not telling where his great strength lie (Judges 16:1-15). The world, flesh and devil continually seek to attack your weaknesses. You must never give in to temptation but find the way of escape while staying humble (1 Cor. 10:12-13). This context refers to sexual sin among others (1 Cor. 10:8).
As Delilah pressed Samson daily with her words, his soul became annoyed to death. He told her of his Nazirite vow to never cut his hair since it would cause his strength to leave. Delilah made him sleep in on her knees and a man shaved off his hair and strength left him. When Samson woke up, he didn’t know his strength left him. The Philistines seized and gouged out his eyes, bound him with bronze chains and was a grinder in prison. His hair began to grow again after it was shaved off (Judges 16:15-22). The constant bombardment of the world, flesh and devil affects your heart. It often leads to impatience and letting down your guard if you are not empowered by God’s Spirit through His word. At the other end is falling asleep spiritually instead of watching and praying that you might not enter into temptation (Matt. 26:40-41). God won’t give up on you.
The Philistine leaders offered a great sacrifice to Dagon since they believed their god defeated Samson. The people also credited Dagon for capturing Samson since he had slain many of their people. When they were in high spirits, they said asked for him to amuse them. Samson entertained them as he stood between the pillars (Judges 16:23-25). Believers’ disobedience through sexual sin misleads the world to worship false gods, laugh at us and not take us seriously. God provides a way of escape so we can flee youthful lusts and idolatry to withstand temptation and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace along with others you call on Lord with a pure heart (1 Cor. 10:13-14; 2 Tim. 2:22).
After being helped so he could lean against the pillars, Samson called to the Lord, “Please remember me and strengthen me just this time that I may at once be avenged of Philistines for my two eyes.” He pulled down the two middle pillars with all his strength killing 3,000 men and women, more than he killed the rest of his life. Samson was buried in the tomb of his father, Manoah. He judged Israel 20 years (Judges 16:26-31). Lust of the flesh causes premature physical and spiritual death limiting your opportunities to glorify God on earth.
In your present temptation, how is God providing a way of escape? Watch and pray so you do not enter into temptation. Gather with others with a pure heart to keep you accountable.
