Divine Appointment Seduced

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. (NIV)

            The Israelites once again did evil in the sight of the Lord and therefore, God allowed them to be taken captive by the Philistines for 40 years. Despite their repeated unfaithfulness, God once again raised up a judge to deliver the Israelites from their enemies. A couple named Manoah and his wife were childless. However, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and told them that they would have a son who would help to deliver the Children of Israel from the Philistines’ captivity. They were given specific instructions concerning his upbringing. One of the main things that they had to remember was to not cut his hair. This was the secret to his strength from the Lord. 

df

            Samson grew up to be the strongest man that lived during that time. He often irritated the Philistines, but God allowed him to do so as part of the divine plan that He had for His people. Although Samson had great strength, which came from the Lord, he also had a great weakness, and that was like a double-edged sword. He had a lack of control for the heathen women. Even in this, God still used Samson’s weakness to carry out His plan of destruction against Israel’s enemies.

            Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah. He was quite smitten with her and all the Philistines knew it. Therefore, they conspired with her to get the secret to his strength. She constantly begged Samson to tell her his secret, but he refused. However, seemingly for his own pure amusement, he tricked her several times into thinking that he have given in to her constant begging by telling her some made up story about his strength. But once she told it to the Philistines, they attempted to conquer him only to find out that it was trick. Therefore, she came up with another plan. 

            She played on his emotions and feelings of love, that he had towards her, by making him feel that his love was only true if he shared his secret. Samson eventually gave in. Despite knowing that this secret could fall into the wrong hands, and be to his detriment, he went ahead and revealed everything. She cut his hair and told the Philistines what had taken place. He awakened to find out that he had been betrayed by the women he loved. His strength was gone and into the Philistines’ hands he went. He allowed himself, and therefore his divine appointment, to be seduced by his lustful flesh. 

            The Apostle Paul lets us know that our struggle is not merely against flesh and blood. However, we can allow ourselves to succumb to the temptations of the flesh if we do not keep in mind what or who is behind the evil desire to begin with. Just as the devil attempted to use Samson’s weakness to keep him from fulfilling his divine appointment, he does the same today to deter us from that plans God has for our lives. Nevertheless, we have a God who will help us fight against all temptations that may come our way, but first we have to turn it over to God. We are unable to do it on our own. James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (NIV)

          One important thing to remember is that when we encounter temptations from the enemy we are not alone. Jesus was also tempted in every way as we are. He was both God and man. Therefore, His flesh could have succumb to the devil’s temptations as well. This is why the devil tried to tempt Him while He was in the wilderness. But as we know, the end result didn’t give the devil the victory as he would have liked. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. (NIV)

            As warriors for Christ, we must remember that we are never alone in whatever battle we face—even those of temptation. We have a Mighty Commander who will fight on our behalf and give us the weapons we need to knock the enemy out for the count. Lean on God for He will never fail.