Samson: As weak as any man

Though famous for his great strength, Samson had a rather large weakness. No amount of muscle could protect him in a fight against lust. One look, just one, was all it took for him to decide "forget God, I'm doing what I want now."

Such is the way of man. Our desires get between us and God. From the forbidden fruit of Eden, desirable for food, to the forbidden women of the pagans, desirable for a wife, all the way up to you. What do you desire? Some things, we want, but we have no business having. Other things, it might be ok, or even good to want, but there are wrong ways to go about it.

Just like Samson, you are not invincible. We all have character flaws that may go as far as to counteract even our greatest strengths. And indeed, in God's eyes, they all do. Who gave us our gifts? God. And do you think Samson's impressive strength impressed God? God can approach Behemoth with a sword (Job 40:19). Samson might as well have been a grasshopper. But God gave Samson, and all the Jews, a simple command: Do not intermarry with unbelievers. Yet here we have Samson, so entangled in his lust, that even his relationship with God was damaged.

You probably know the story. His wife tricked him into revealing the source of his strength, the Philistines captured him, he eventually died pulling the building down on top of them. Samson's lust eventually cost him his life. Samson serves as a warning to all of us. If you must follow your heart, make sure it's the part the Holy Spirit resides in. When God speaks, obey. Don't think to yourself "it'll be alright", because it won't. Sin is never worth it. God can still use it, but which side of that victory would you like to be on?