As we continue looking at the story of Samson, it behooves us to examine the circumstances that ultimately led to his demise. Since he was a source of constant frustration to the Philistines, they wanted more than anything to know the origin of his strength. If they could figure out where his might came from, they could cut him down at his point of weakness. Enter Delilah. She was a beautiful Philistine woman, and Samson was smitten with her, but he had no idea she’d been bribed by his enemies to deceive him into sharing his secret. Though he wasn’t supposed to tell her, she kept coming to him with longing in her eyes and yearning in her voice, and she wore him down as she ever-so-sweetly seduced him. After three failed attempts to get him to “spill the beans,” he got tired of her nagging and revealed to her the source of his power. Once he told her that it was because of his Nazarite vow and his long hair that he was able to do such great things, she lulled him to sleep on her lap and called the Philistine rulers in to cut off his braids while he slumbered. He woke up to her shouting that the enemy was upon him, but he had already lost his strength. No longer could he escape their capture, so they gouged out his eyes and put him in prison. Though it’s unlikely any of us will share Samson’s experience today in a physical sense, we should recognize that there are forces of deception in the world that seek to seduce us into surrendering the strength and power we possess in Jesus.

My friend, as a soldier in Christ’s army, it’s vital to remember that you have any enemy, and that he understands how to wear you down. The devil knows where you are vulnerable, and he works through the world’s deceptive powers to trick you into surrendering your strength. Thankfully, your Savior has given you divine discernment, and with the help of His Spirit, you can be shrewd as a serpent while responding to temptation as harmlessly as a dove. Draw close to Jesus and don’t be persuaded by counterfeit blessings. Rather, when you wake up each day, put on your Heavenly armor, hold the line through His Word, and resist the advances of Satan whenever he tempts you to forfeit the authority you have in Christ!