JUDGES 14
2
Outlines
Judges 14:1-15:8
UNDER CONTROL
When a vehicle is
"out of control" there is no stopping what it will do.
When a child is
"out of control" he or she behaves in outrageous ways.
The opposite of being
out of control is being "under control".
Through the power of the
Holy Spirit a Christian should allow God to control all areas of his life
(Romans 12:1, Ephesians
Samson was a great man,
but would have been greater if he wasn't often out of control. There are at least four areas in this passage
in which Samson should have been under control.
We can learn from Samson's mistakes to:
CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS -
14:1-4
People say "You are
what you eat." In reality, you are what you think. Proverbs 23:7a, Matthew
15:19
Samson saw a woman, and
it was "Lust at first sight." He hadn't met her but wanted her. He
was having all sorts of fantasy in his mind. Vss. 1-2
Samson's parents were
rightfully opposed. Vs. 3, Deuteronomy 7:1-4
Samson insisted on
having his own way. Vs. 3
Vs. 4 - God did not
approve of Samson's sin. In fact, the sin that comes Samson's way is certainly
an indication that he was out of the will of God. God, however, would use the situation to
bring glory to himself, and to give a problem to the Philistines. If you look carefully, you will notice that
God does not need perfect people or perfect situations in order to accomplish
His perfect purposes.
Samson would have
avoided this whole situation if his thoughts had been under control. We will avoid a lot of grief too if our
thoughts are under control. Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:8
CONTROL YOUR TESTIMONY -
14:5-11
Samson was to be a Nazarite from his birth. A Nazarite
was to live a life of separation. He was not to touch dead bodies. He was not
to partake of the fruit of the vine, and he was not supposed to cut his
hair. In these verses we find:
1. Samson in a vineyard
Vss. 5-7
2. Samson touching a
dead body Vss. 8-9
3. Samson hosting a
drinking party Vss. 10-11
All of these things hurt
Samson's testimony for God.
We must be careful to
maintain a clear testimony for our Savior. Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Thessalonians
5:22
CONTROL YOUR TONGUE -
14:12-18
Often Samson's tongue
got him in trouble. In this case, if he hadn't given the riddle there would
have been no problem. Then, if he hadn't told his wife the solution to the
riddle there would have been no difficulty. We must learn to keep our tongues
under control as well. Psalm 141:3, James 3:2-5.
CONTROL YOUR TEMPER -
Samson's temper was
certainly not under control. When we do
not have our tempers under control we will also do damage. Ephesians 4:26-27,
Galatians 5:22-23
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Judges 14:1-15:8
LIFE IN CONFLICT
Samson's life was full
of conflict, as this passage shows us.
STUBBORN WILL - Vss. 1-4
SECRET ADVENTURE - Vss.
5-9
STRANGE RIDDLE -
Vss.10-14
SURRENDERED ANSWER -
Vss. 15-20
SECURED REVENGE - 2:1-8