Have you ever wondered how someone can be called by God yet still make such destructive choices? Perhaps they are following the Lord in some decisions, but certainly not all of them. Or maybe, you clearly see God’s leading in their life, but then they choose to go their own way?
As sinful and fallen human beings, we’ve all been here. God calls each of us, and yet daily, we battle temptation between what He wants us to do and what we want to do. We get into grooves where we’re close to the Lord, but then a few weeks later, we grow stagnant and distant. The good news is that we are all called by God. He has unique plans for each of us. The bad news is that we will continue to be pressured and tempted by the choices of this world. Samson shows us what happens when we allow our desires to overtake God’s.
When Israel continued to sin against the Lord over and over again, He sent judges to rule over them. Samson is known as one of these judges, yet his story is among the most compelling and complex in Scripture.
Who Was Samson?
At this time, Israel was oppressed by the Philistines. God’s people had again become enslaved because of their disobedience. But by Judges 13, we see that Samson was a blessing to his parents. It was a miracle that he was born in the first place, and God placed a high calling on his life from an early age. Judges 13:24-25 tells us that the Lord didn’t just bless Samson, but that the Spirit of the Lord was within him:
“When her son was born, she named him Samson. And the Lord blessed him as he grew up. And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he lived in Mahaneh-dan, which is located between the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol” (Judges 13:24-25, NLT).
As a Nazarite, Samson wasn’t allowed to cut his hair. He had been set apart for God and should refrain from unclean things. This calling was placed on his life even before he was born.
Experiencing a relationship with Jesus from an early age is crucial to our overall development. However, experiencing this relationship isn’t enough; we must learn to maintain it and allow it to be directed by God. And this is the tension we see in Samson’s life by the time we reach Judges 14. Samson followed God, but he experienced tension between divine purpose and human weakness.
Samson Desired What Looked Good
It was an impulsive desire that led Samson to demand that he marry a Philistine woman (Judges 14:1). Though God would use this to destroy the Philistines (Judges 14:4) eventually, it caused him and his family a lot of calamity. His marriage later caused anger, compromise, and ignorance of God’s sovereignty in his life. Because even though his parents object to Samson’s “wants,” he insisted the woman was “right in his own eyes.” Key words: right in His eyes, not the plans God had for him.
The Spirit of the Lord was clearly with Samson: He ripped a lion’s jaws apart with his bare hands, killed thirty men in Ashkelon, destroyed many Philistines, set a city on fire, and used the jawbone of a donkey to conquer a thousand men. But though Samson was gifted and chosen, calling doesn’t eliminate the need for character. And when we begin to compromise our character, downfall shortly results.
When we live by desire instead of discernment, we choose what we feel is right instead of seeking the Lord’s guidance. Yes, God can still use our mess-ups and flaws as He did with Samson, but that isn’t a reason to do wrong and disobey Him intentionally. Though Samson’s choices were unwise, they merely echoed the spiritual chaos we see in almost every other judge's life in the book of Judges. Not only does desire cause faulty discernment, but it also calls us to compromise our belief system.
In Judges 14, for example, Samson killed a lion with the Lord’s strength. There’s no question God gave him that power. When Samson later goes back and eats honey that has grown inside the carcass (and gives some to his parents), it’s as if he’s forgotten his purity. He doesn’t just violate his own Nazarite purity, but causes his parents to sin as well. Sin often progresses gradually through small compromises, and if we aren’t careful, those white lies lead to bigger issues.
Where do we justify “small” disobedience? Are we drifting spiritually while still appearing strong? These are important questions to ask ourselves.
Like Samson’s compromising character, his decisions also led to explosive anger. Again, though Samson had the Spirit of the Lord within Him, and that’s who gave him power, he became known as a man who conquered opposition with violence. While attending his own wedding feast, he was challenged with a riddle. When Samson’s wife is manipulated into giving his accusers an answer, Samson responds with rage and violence. Perhaps because pride gives birth to revenge and uncontrolled anger. And gifted people are still vulnerable to emotional immaturity.
By Judges 15, we see Samson’s anger escalate yet again. When Samson finds out his wife has been given to another man, he burns an entire Philistine field. The Philistines retaliate by killing the woman and her father, so Samson retaliates again. Revenge always escalates to conflict, and personal revenge usually turns public. Sadly, cycles of revenge destroy everyone involved, and unchecked anger spreads collateral damage.
God Still Used Samson
Though Samson had many shortcomings, his story reveals that God still uses those who fail Him. In Judges 15:9-17, Judah hands Samson over to the Philistines, but the Spirit of the Lord empowers Samson. He defeats 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey. What’s important to note here is that God empowering Samson does not mean God approved of all of Samson’s behavior. But God can work through flawed people while still caring about holiness.
As Christians, we need to remember that visible success doesn’t equal spiritual health. Yes, God still uses imperfect people, but we should aim to live in a way that pleases Him. We see a glimpse of this in Judges 15:18-20, where Samson has done all of this, but he’s thirsty and cries out to God. Perhaps God provides the water because Samson is depending on Him after a period of self-reliance. Strength alone cannot sustain us spiritually. And though Samson had power, he lacked restraint. When talent outpaces maturity, we must stand on guard.
Samson’s life shows us that sins usually start small. He desired something, rationalized it, compromised his beliefs, and would become destructive to achieve it. Not only that, but his anger then distorts justice. Samson’s revenge escalated suffering. But there’s a major difference between righteous anger and personal vengeance.
What Can We Learn from Samson’s Story?
Because God remains sovereign even in the face of our shortcomings, he still used Samson to confront the Philistines. Thankfully, human failure does not cancel God’s purposes. But Samson’s story offers us some pivotal truths today:
1. Don’t confuse gifting with spiritual maturity. God blesses us, but we must continually rely on Him.
2. Pay attention to recurring compromises. Rid your life of these and refuse to give in.
3. Unhealed anger can damage relationships and calling. Learn to deal with your anger healthily.
4. God’s grace is real, but consequences are also real. We are forgiven, but we also will face the consequences of our actions.
5. Dependence on God matters more than outward strength. God gives us strength, but it’s what's inside that matters more.
The story of Judges 14–15 reveals the tragedy and mercy within Samson’s story. It’s a story of miracles, strength, and power. But it’s also one of warning, redemption, and insight. God can redeem flawed people, but strength without surrender becomes destructive. The strongest man in Israel was often the weakest in self-control. So today, ask yourself these questions:
• Where am I compromising?
• Am I relying on God or my own strength?
Then take time to talk honestly with the Lord about your findings. Remember, He’s not judging you. He wants you to come as you are. But he also wants you to leave better than you arrived.
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