SAMSON’S PROBLEMS

JUDGES 14-16

Pastor Rick Jackson

Samson was the strongest man in the world in the physical sense of the term but sin made him weak. He had power to conquer others but he couldn’t conquer his own lust. Samson could kill a lion with his bare hands but he couldn’t kill his sin nature.

I. THE CAUSE OF SAMSON’S PROBLEMS

1. The Choices He Made

-the wrong girlfriends [14:1-3, 16:1, 4]

-the wrong view of standards [14:8-9]

-the wrong view of strength [16:5-16]

he didn’t flee temptations- he flirted with them! “I can handle it… I know she’s out to get me but…

2. The Things He Did - Samson played games with holy things and lost!

- our bodies are holy [I Cor. 6:19-20]

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

- our Bibles are holy [II Cor. 4:2]

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

- our behavior is holy [Col. 1:10]

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

II. THE CONSEQUENCES OF SAMSON’S PROBLEMS

1. Lost his power [16:20] sin befuddles

2. Lost his eyes [16:21] sin blinds

3. Lost his freedom [16:21] sin binds

4. Lost his testimony [16:24] sin brands - lost the chance to be a blessing to others

5. Lost his life [16:30] sin’s wages

6. Lost his opportunity to obey and serve God [16:30, 1 Corinthians 11:30]

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

III. THE CURE OF SAMSON’S PROBLEMS

1. Starve the Flesh [Proverbs 4:14-15]

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away

2. Feed the Spirit [Proverbs 27:7]

The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

Many want the thrill of feeling right but don’t want the inconvenience of being right.

3. Keep Short Accounts with God [ I Jn. 1:9, Proverbs 28:13] He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.