There are a lot of stories in God’s word that we can glean truth, help, and understanding from, but there are some stories that offer more wisdom and help than others. The story of a man named Samson has so much to offer so I would like for us to look at this today so that we may grow closer to the Lord and be warned how careless living can and will take us out of God’s perfect will for our lives.

In the book of Judges we find the story of Samson unfold. The Lord supernaturally worked on the behalf of Samson’s parents to bring him into the world. (Just a reminder that God still has plans for young babies as He did with Samson. He uses individuals to accomplish His plans in this world.) Samson was born and he took the vow of a Nazarene. This was a list of standards that he would live by until his death. He wasn’t to compromise any of the rules but to live daily by each of them. As long as Samson kept his vow he grew stronger and stronger but as soon as he compromised these vows, all power was gone and he became weak. Samson had become a man of great strength. The Bible says his strength was a result of him keeping his vow and not cutting his hair. Well he met a girl named Delilah and quickly he fell head over heels in love with her and consequently spent a lot of time with her. Behind his back the enemy came to Delilah and asked her to find out why he was so strong. Eventually he gave in and told her everything and the enemy came against Samson. Samson’s hair was cut while he slept. One of the saddest verses is recorded in Judges 16:20, “And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him.”

This same truth of course applies with the church today. As long as we live by God’s word we become stronger and have more of the power of God resting upon us. As soon as compromise and worldliness sets in, we become weaker. We as the church need to remain strong and powerful in this sin-cursed world so that we may be a witness for our Lord Jesus. When compromise and carnality becomes a part of our lives, we lose power and hinder the spirit of God. We are instructed to put on the full armor of God for protection and power against our enemy.

As the story of Samson goes, once his hair was cut and he lost his strength, Samson was captured by the enemy then imprisoned and blinded. Samson eventually died in bondage. It is such a sad ending for someone who had such potential.

Do you know someone who seems to be “captured” by Satan? Maybe you have told that son or daughter time and time again that drugs imprison you but they are blinded to that fact. Maybe you yourself have become weak and imprisoned in sin. Are you contemplating compromising on what God has made clear to you? Don’t be a Samson. Walk close with God and don’t allow compromise to creep in, take you on a detour from God, and become imprisoned, blind, and dead for Christ. The Lord needs a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto Him. Live everyday in the light of His coming and you’ll not become a Samson.

Tune in to WBCU 103.5 FM Sundays at noon for the Shining Light Broadcast. I preach a 15-minute message that I pray will be a blessing to those who listen. If you have a prayer concern, comment, or question, please write to: Voice of Victory, Attn: David Burrell, PO Box 1221, Pacolet, SC 29372, message me on Facebook, or e-mail me at daveburrell@live.com.