Samson and his Sin (Part 3)

2) Sin Binds You

Samson was in bondage to himself. His ego was more inflated than his muscles. Romans 12:3 states: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” As Samson broke the Mosaic law to not marry a non-Israelite, he also broke the Nazirite vow to not tamper with a dead body as he ate honey from the dead carcass of a lion that he had killed with his bare hands (Judges 14:6-9). Samson loved to play word games with people, including his women, in order to get them to be subservient to him. He loved adulation! He was a living legend in his own mind. Samson also participated in the drunken wedding feast as he once again broke his Nazarite vow to not drink alcohol. His Philistine wife was given to his best man by her father. The living God was speaking to Samson, but he would not listen (Romans 6:23). Rather than repenting of his sins, Samson went on a wild rampage! He caught 300 foxes and tied them together in pairs with oil-soaked rags around their tails. Then Samson took the foxes into the Philistine wheat fields that were ready to be harvested. He set the rags on fire and let the foxes go. The wheat fields went up in flames, and so did the stacks of wheat that had already been cut. Even the Philistine vineyards and olive orchards burned. The Philistines burned his wife and father-in-law to death. Samson should have been on his face weeping before his great God as he was reaping what he had sown, but he was plotting his revenge. Romans 12:17-21 states: “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” A man who is in “deep bondage” to himself will do anything for himself, including murder. The Judeans captured Samson, intending to turn him over to the Philistines. Once again, Samson’s God showed him great grace as the awesome mighty power of the Holy Spirit moved on him. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax and the bindings dropped from his hands. Samson took the jawbone of a donkey and killed 1,000 Philistines. He cried out to God for he was thirsty, and God once again provided (Judges 15:18-19). Almighty God loves to bless His people when they are obedient to His commands. He blessed Samson in spite of his lustful disobedience! Samson was in bondage to himself. Sin Binds You. Samson and His Sin. (1) Sin Finds You. (2) Sin Binds You.