Strength for Singles - Lessons From SampsonSample

Day 4: Sampson’s Weakness

Yesterday, we learned how powerful Sampson was physically because the Lord's Spirit was upon him. However, Sampson also had a great area of weakness. It was because of his choices in this area that we see devastating consequences of a life painfully derailed.

His weakness was something that many of us can relate to: sex and relationships.

For Sampson, it was the women he kept getting involved with. We can read in his story several places where he chooses to go against the advice of his parents and God’s design for who to get involved with. In Judges chapter 16, Sampson has a one night stand with a prostitute and then chases after yet another woman who doesn’t share his faith background and actually is part of the philistine enemy they are at war with.

Told you—common sense straight-out-the window.

Short version: Sampson falls in love with this woman named Delilah. His feelings for her are so strong that he seems unwilling to face the facts that their relationship is toxic and she will continue to hurt him over and over again. Delilah betrays him in some pretty obvious ways but yet Sampson keeps letting her make excuses and convince him to stay. Anyone relate?

In Judges 16:15, she uses his intense emotional connection to manipulate him by saying “How can you tell me, ‘I love you,’ when you don’t share your secrets with me?”

Ok, hold up for a second and think about that statement. If anyone in your life tries to get you to do something that isn't right by saying “If you really love me you will do this for me,”...stop in your tracks and consider how things ended up for him.

We need to learn this lesson from Sampson’s life and quit ignoring the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship. The truth is, Sampson tried to "stay strong" for as long as he could and protect the purpose God created him for, but the longer he stayed in a bad relationship, the less he could resist.

Sampson finally gives in to Delilah and that's when the bible says she brought him down and his strength left him. It’s sad to me how Sampson still thought he could figure a way out or save himself but he didn’t realize until it was too late that the Lord’s power had left him. What happens next is truly tragic.

Go check it out in Judges 16:1-21. I think it's appropriate for us to not rush past the gravity of what it cost Sampson because he chose to live by his desires instead of trusting in God’s design.