Shun the Bait

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results. I’ve seen people return to the same pattern of sin repeatedly, yet they’re shocked by the way things turn out.

If we can learn from our mistakes, if we can recognize where we’ve messed up and be more careful so we don’t stumble again, we can change the cycle of sin in our lives.

That’s what Samson did. After his enemies, the Philistines, captured him and blinded him, his hair began to grow again. His strength began to return.

Now, Samson’s strength didn’t come from his hair. He’d taken the vow of a Nazirite, and part of that vow was to never cut his hair. His long hair symbolized his commitment to God.

One day, the Philistines held a festival to worship their false god, Dagon. They were getting drunk, and someone came up with the idea to bring Samson in for entertainment.

As they brought him in, Samson said to the young servant who was guiding him, “Place my hands against the pillars that hold up the temple. I want to rest against them” (Judges 16:26 NLT). Then Samson put one hand on one pillar and one hand on the other, and he prayed for strength.

When Samson pushed, the temple began to collapse, and the floors caved in. After it was all over, Samson had killed more Philistines that day than he had throughout his entire life. Even so, Samson died with the Philistines.

Temptations will come to every Christian, but Samson’s story teaches us that it’s better to shun the bait than to struggle on the hook. Every temptation is an opportunity to flee to God.

Are you flirting with sin? Are you playing with fire? Watch out. Learn the lesson of Samson.