Heroes: Samson – The Flawed Fighter

Heroes: Life Lessons from Faith Champions

Part 7: Samson – The Flawed Fighter

Judges 13-16

Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.

2 A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. 3 The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. 4 Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. 5 You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” Judges 13:1-5

6 The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. Judges 14:6

6 “‘Throughout the period of their dedication to the Lord, the Nazirite must not go near a dead body. Numbers 6:6.

10 …Samson held a feast, as was customary for young men. Judges 14:10.

4 …this was from the Lord, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel. Judges 14:4

Lesson #1 – God will use even flawed, sinful people to .

3 Samson said to them, “This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them.” Judges 15:3

14 …The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands. 15 Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men. Judges 15:14-15.

3 But Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron. Judges 16:3.

Lesson #2 – The consequences of sin are .

5 The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, “See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.” Judges 16:5

20 …“Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him. Judges 16:20

Lesson #3 – When we ourselves from God, we do so at great .

21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Judges 16:21.

23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28

8 “‘These people honor me with their lips,

    but their hearts are far from me. Matthew 15:8

Lesson #4 – It is never too late to to God.

28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, 30 Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived. Judges 16:28-30

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9