Today’s Readings: Judges 15:1‐16:31, John 2:1‐25, Psalm 103:1‐22, Proverbs 14:17‐19

His Words: Judges 16:15-17 And (Delilah) said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and you have not told me where your great strength lies.” And when she pressed him hard with her words day after day, and urged him, his soul was vexed to death. And (Samson) told her all his heart, and said to her, “A razor has never come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If my head is shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak and be like any other man.”

View of the valley where Samson grew up from Beth Shemesh

my words:  Context – Delilah has already asked Samson the source of his strength three times, he has lied to her, and she has immediately tried to use his words against him and remove his strength.  If he could think clearly in the face of temptation, Samson could see that Delilah is trying to destroy him.  Yet, he gives in and tells her the real source of his strength.

Apply: It is extremely difficult to think clearly in the face of temptation.  I see three things that would have helped Samson and should help us.

1. Recognize what sin is doing and can do to you.  Look at what the end result of falling into the temptation will be.  Accountability can help us with this.
2. Flee the temptation.  It seems crazy that Sampson is still showing up at her house when he knows Delilah is trying to destroy him.  How often do we do the same?
3. Decide how you will respond to temptation before you are exposed.  If you cannot remove yourself from the temptation, decide on your response before you are pressured.  Samson could not think clearly when Delilah was pushing him.  Do we think we are stronger than Sampson?

What has helped you in your battles against sin?