Samsons failed characteristics

Pride comes before the fall.

The New American Commentary: Judges, Ruth (4) God’s Gift of [Partial] Deliverance (13:25–16:31a)

The plots, in which the motifs of knowledge and ignorance become increasingly important, may be summarized schematically as follows:312

C.S Lewis said this, “ Make no mistake about it; pride is the great sin, it is the devil’s most effective and destructive tool.

Judges 14:5 ESV

Then Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah, and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. And behold, a young lion came toward him roaring.

C.S Lewis said this, “ Make no mistake about it; pride is the great sin, it is the devil’s most effective and destructive tool.

Pride is.... feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements.

My argument today is that Samson was a prideful man. He would often do what was contrary to God’s Word. Remember last week we discussed how Samson would be empowered by God? We see in this passage that it doesn't seam like he acts like someone who is empowered by God.

Samson is someone who is flawed in many areas. It goes to show you that you can be empowered by God, yet totality depraved.

Disobedient to God’s Law . 1-2

How is he being to disobedient to God’s law?

Violated the command in Duet 7:1-3 , Samson was not the first person to break this commandment. If we turn back to we see that the Israelites have been doing this for along time.

Do you know remember who married an ideal Israelite women? Othniel… he married Calebs daughter Acsah

How should Christians find a spouse to this day?

Does it matter if they are a believer?

Disobedient to his parents. 2-3

Traditionally parents would chose a spouse for their children or have a significant input into that decision.

Samson does not want any input from his parents.

Do we need the approval of our parents of our spouses today?

Has carnal judgement. 3, 7, 9

3. Get her for me she is right in my own eyes. ( sound’s familiar to Israel’s condition throughout the book doesn’t it.)

7. It says she was right in the eyes of Samson.

9. He ate from the deal lion some honey. Why would bees be in the body of the lion. Bees do not normally inhabit cadavers; flies and maggots do. Apparently this carcass dehydrated quickly, bypassing putrification, and in no time at all provided a hospitable environment for bees not only to live but also to produce their honey.

Lack of discernment. 16

Bees do not normally inhabit cadavers; flies and maggots do. Apparently this carcass dehydrated quickly, bypassing putrification, and in no time at all provided a hospitable environment for bees not only to live but also to produce their honey.

It is a reminder that God makes life out of decay.

God provides a test to Samson. One that he would fail. When he failed at this he actually sin’s three times. 1. he touches the corpse. 2. He ate from the corpse. 3. He gave that to his parents without telling them it was from a corpse.

What are some carnal temptations that we struggle with today?

4. Lack of discernment v16-17 Read 10-18

a. Samson should not have be so naive to tell his wife the answer to the riddle.

b. How can we develop discernment?

5. Violent 19.

5. Violet v19

Lack of Commitment to his marriage 20.

5. Violent/Anger v19

a. While God empowered Samson to do the task.

b. He did have violent tendencies.

c. What can we learn from Samsons violent tendencies?

6. Lack of commitment to his marriage v 20

a. Samson was not commited to his marriage.

b. Neither was his wife.

c. Both honored others over one another.

d. . They let men separate there own arrangement.

e. What is the ideal commited marriage look like?

Do we have any of these character flaws? I know I do. Think about how we can seek God, and rid ourselves of anything that is separating us from God.

The New American Commentary: Judges, Ruth (4) God’s Gift of [Partial] Deliverance (13:25–16:31a)

Samson is disrespectful of his parents, callous toward his Nazirite calling, without any loyalty to his own people, compromising in his ethic, rude to his wife, flippant with his tongue, and driven by lust, eroticism, and appetite. The only way in which good can come from this man is by Yahweh overpowering him with his Spirit and driving him to the task of delivering his people, something he is not naturally inclined to do.