Building Strong Hearts, Cultivating Deep Life! Judges 13 – 15

when it comes to women, he melted before his own passions.

“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.” [TNIV] Judges 13:1….

“ 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, …. Judges 13:2-5a….

…. 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. …. Judges 13:2-5a….

…. 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….” [TNIV] Judges 13:2-5a….

“So Manoah asked him, ‘When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule that governs the boy's life and work?’ ” [TNIV] Judges 13:1….

Manoah was motivated not by curiosity, but by his commitment to raise the child to be best prepared for his destiny.

Hebrew word “semes,” meaning “ SUN.”

The boy grows, and the Spirit of the Lord begins to stir in him a mighty way (verse 25).

From this part of we can glean the first of 4 principles.

Principle #1 SENSUOUS CHILDREN CAN BE BORN OF SPIRITUAL PARENTS. Principle #1 SENSUOUS CHILDREN CAN BE BORN OF SPIRITUAL PARENTS.

If Samson’s life teaches us anything as parents, it demonstrates that even children with a spiritual head start can plunge headlong into

In Judges 14, many years have passed…. is now a virile young man whose hormones boil within him.

“ 1 Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2 When he returned, he said to his father and mother, ‘I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.’ Judges 14:1-3….

…. 3 His father and mother replied, ‘Isn't there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?’ …. Judges 14:1-3….

…. But Samson said to his father, ‘Get her for me. She’s the right one (looks good) for me.” [TNIV] Judges 14:1-3….

Samson’s eyes spur his lust to break the dual reins of his parents’ wishes and the Mosaic Law. (verse 3; Deuteronomy 7:1-3)

Principle #2 A SENSUOUS PERSON FOCUSES ON THE EXTERNAL RATHER THAN ON THE INTERNAL! Principle #2 A SENSUOUS PERSON FOCUSES ON THE EXTERNAL RATHER THAN ON THE INTERNAL!

The first recorded words of Samson are…. “I SAW a young Philistine woman.” “I SAW a young Philistine woman.”

He did not mention any of her INTERNAL QUALITIES.

Our EXTERNAL APPEARANCE should frame our INTERNAL QUALITIES in a way that HIGHLIGHTS them but does not overshadow them.

“ 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. …. 1 Peter 3:3-4….

…. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.” [TNIV] 1 Peter 3:3-4….

When you look at someone, is your FOCUS on the frame or on the quality? Do you dwell on the appearance, or do you look past it to the heart?

“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things human beings look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’ ” [TNIV] 1 Samuel 16:7….

In spite of Samson’s runaway lust, God is still in control of the situation.

“(His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.)” [TNIV] Judges 14:4….

… overcame an attacking lion (v.6) … posed a riddle – 7 days to unravel the riddle

… Samson’s bride enticing him for the answer

Judges 14:18b-19…. “ 18b... Samson said to them, ‘If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle.’ 19 Then the Spirit of the LORD came on him in power. ….

Judges 14:18b-19…. …. He went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men, stripped them of everything and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle. Burning with anger, he returned to his father's home.” [TNIV]

Samson stormed away to his father’s house. His wife was then given to one of his companions (verse 20). Before Samson knew it, he was at the door to his wife’s room with flowers in hand.

“Later on, at the time of wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. He said, ‘I'm going to my wife's room.’ …” [TNIV] Judges 15:1a….

Samson’s father-in-law stood at his daughter’s door to sandbag the flood of Samson’s passion.

From romance to revenge, Samson’s rage …. Judges 15:3-5…. “ 3 Samson said to them, ‘This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them.’ 4 So he went out and caught three hundred foxes …

…. and tied them tail to tail in pairs. He then fastened a torch to every pair of tails, 5 lit the torches and let the foxes loose in the standing grain of the Philistines. He burned up the shocks and standing grain, together with the vineyards and olive groves.” [TNIV]

Principle #3 THE SENSUOUS LIFE BRINGS ONE ANXIETY AFTER ANOTHER! Principle #3 THE SENSUOUS LIFE BRINGS ONE ANXIETY AFTER ANOTHER!

“An angry person stirs up dissension, and a hot- tempered person commits many sins.” [TNIV] Proverbs 29:22….

“Samson led Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines.” [TNIV] Judges 15:20….

Apparently, the Bible said that SAMSON ruled righteously and by faith.

“ 32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered …. Hebrews 11:32-34….

…. justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.” [TNIV]

“One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her.” [TNIV] Judges 16:1…. Samson went to Gaza ….

Little did Samson realized that this “walk in the wild side” would lead him into a snare that would eventually cost him his life.

Principle #4 SENSUALITY MAY BE DORMANT, BUT IT IS NEVER DEAD! Principle #4 SENSUALITY MAY BE DORMANT, BUT IT IS NEVER DEAD!

when fanned in the open air, can fuel a forest fire. And, invariably, someone always gets burned.

“ 26 For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man's wife preys on your very life. 27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? 28 Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?” [TNIV] Proverbs 6:26-28….

“ 14 But each of you is tempted when you are dragged away by your own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” [TNIV] James 1:14-15….

Each snare in this tragic hero’s life is tripped by his SENSUALITY.

Samson ultimately forfeits his life for failing to avoid the lure of lust.

Paul says that we are suppose to give our lives to Christ in consecration as a living sacrifice to Him.

“ 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is true worship. …. Romans 12:1–2 ….

…. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” ” [TNIV] Romans 12:1–2 ….

Just as Samson’s hair was his inward commitment to God, let our heart in Christ be our “COMMITMENT” to Christ.

Even if you have some failed past, you can pray with Samson – “Remember me” – and be assured that God’s strength can help you overcome your defeated past. Judges 16:28–30