Samson was a man of God with a weakness (his desire for women). He met Delilah, a beautiful woman from the Valley of Sorek a valley between Israel and Philistia. Delilah was paid by the Philistines to discover where Samson’s strength came from. So for three nights she interrogated Samson, and DO TO HIM what he said would make him weak but he always got away. “And it came to pass, when Delilah PESTERED HIM DAILY with her words and PRESSED HIM, so that HIS SOUL WAS 1VEXED TO DEATH, that HE TOLD HER ALL HIS HEART, and said to her, “No razor has ever come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.” (Judges 16:16-17) 1qâtsar: to discourage, grieve, trouble. This is exactly what the devil does to us to GET US TO FALL and give in to him, “Watch and pray, lest you ENTER INTO TEMPTATION. The spirit indeed is willing, but THE FLESH IS WEAK.“ (Matt. 26:41) “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR (chew up and swallow). RESIST HIM…” (1 Peter 5:8-9) Listen to what Paul says, “Do you not know that to whom you PRESENT YOURSELVES SLAVES TO OBEY, YOU ARE THAT ONE’S SLAVE whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Rom. 6:16)
You see my very dear listeners, when we GIVE IN TO TEMPTATION we are presenting ourselves to the devil, as A SLAVE TO OBEY, we voluntarily become A SLAVE TO SIN. What we need is GRACE Why do we need grace? Grace is the DESIRE and the POWER TO DO God’s will!!! (Phil. 2:13). “GOD GIVES US MORE GRACE. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. 1RESIST THE DEVIL, and HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU. Come near to God and HE WILL COME NEAR TO YOU.” (James 4:6-8) 1anthistēmi: to stand against, oppose, withstand. “…my God shall supply ALL YOUR NEED according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)
-Bill Stockham