1. Stay Humble - In Judges 15:16 Samson gives no glory to God for this amazing feat of strength.
2. Satan is relentless in his pursuit of your destruction. There are 4 different times in chapter 16 that Delilah asks Samson for the source of his strength. Verse 16 illustrates how relentless the enemy is.
Judges 16:16
16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death.
NIV
3. We are often detoured from our purpose with baby steps not large leaps. Samson was getting closer and closer to the secret of his strength with each temptation.
5 Consequences of a Detour (16:21,22)
1. Loss of Control - "Then the Philistines seized him..." The thing he once controlled is no controlling him.
2. Loss of Vision - "...gouged out his eyes..." When we sin we do not see clearly!
3. Loss of Position - "...and took him down to Gaza." He was in control as a Judge but now he was subject to those he stood in judgement over.
4. Loss of Mobility - "Binding him with Bronze shackles..." Sin restricts while holiness brings freedom.
5. Loss of Status - "...they set him to grinding in the prison." The once famed and feared Samson is not doing the work of a common animal.
This a great quote from Francis Chan:
"You don't need the Holy Spirit if you are merely seeking to live a semi-moral life and attend church regularly. You can find people of all sorts in many religions doing that quite nicely without him. You only need the Holy Spirit's guidance and help if you truly want to follow the Way of Jesus Christ. You only need him if you desire to "obey everything" He commanded and to teach others to do the same."
We need the Holy Spirit to avoid the same mistakes that Samson made. Be a radical for Jesus. Choose to follow in Jesus' footsteps. Blessings!
Pastor Chris