Bible Reading: Judges 16, 17, 18; Luke 7:1-25.
“And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him” –Judges 16:20 (KJVS).
Samson was a man anointed of God with power. He was a man of such an unusual strength that anytime the power of God came on him he could carry anything. This is why he was able to kill a lion with his bare hands! ( Judges 14:5-6), slew a thousand men with a jawbone of an ass (Judges 15:15), uprooted and carried on his shoulder the bars and gate of a city ( Judges 16:3). This unusual strength given to Samson by God was for a purpose; which was to deliver Israel from the Philistines. ( Judges 13:5). However, rather than apply the strength for the purpose intended, he kept using the strength to feather his nest. He began to do things that were contrary to the will of God. He went in unto an harlot (Judges 16:1) and this was the beginning of his downfall. Then he fell in love with a woman, Delilah that planned and executed his downfall. And Delilah showed enough proof to Samson that she was after his downfall as she tested every thing he told her would lead him to lose his power until she finally got it.
However, because Samson was proud of himself and allowed the anointing to go into his head, he gave the true source of his power to Delilah and she tried it as she had done in the past and this led to the loss of his strength! (Judges 16:19). Samson was not even aware that the power had left him. This is stated in Judges 16:20 (KJVS), “And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him.”
This happens to a lot of men anointed by God for exploits. They forget that anointing without character will lead to disgrace. Samson did not have a godly character as he behaved ungodly generally. This led to his disgrace inspite of the annointing.
Whatever gift God has anointed you with, it is for the expansion of His kingdom on earth and unless you do this with holiness, you cannot please him and this will eventually lead to your disgrace! This is why God says in Hebrews 12:14 (KJVS), “Follow peace with all men , and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
Prayer: Father give me the grace to live a life of holiness from today in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero