The Life of Samson: #2 How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions Judges 14:1 Last week we began to look at the life of Samson. He is one of those Bible characters that we think we know all about. But when we take a close look we can learn many things that will help us in our lives. Right now we want to learn how to avoid making bad decisions. One of the things that differentiates a person who is a good steward of their time from those who waste their time is the matter of making godly decisions. That starts with the regular decisions of everyday life. The more biblical we are in making daily decisions, the less time we re going to waste. Building on those habits, the Lord occasionally puts us in a place
2 where we re called upon to make a decision that could literally impact the course of our lives. One where the right choice could lead to unparalleled opportunity to please Christ, and the wrong one could lead to waste and destruction. Now, those kinds of decisions don t come along every day, but they do come along. And when we are in the habit of pleasing God in the daily regular decisions we make; we are in a much better position to make the right choice when the major ones come along. If we want these things, as Samson didn t, we must be committed to making careful, wise decisions.
3 We need to develop good habits when it comes to making choices in our lives, because every choice comes with a set of consequences. When we read these verses, we are amazed. 1 Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2 When he returned, he said to his father and mother, "I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife. 3 His father and mother replied, Isn t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife? But Samson said to his father, Get her for me. She s the right one for me. (Judges 14:1-3, NIV) As we saw last week, Samson had godly parents, He was aware of the tragic history of his nation and it s endless cycle of sin, and he was certainly aware that the Spirit of God was working in and through his life. I. Was His Sin Excused By God?
4 A.Before we address these first three verses, we need to consider v. 4. 4 (His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.) (Judges 14:4, NIV) B.Some have interpreted this as God s stamp of approval on Samson s decisions. 1. However, I don t think it is. 2. Samson could have chosen to do right 3. But he didn t. 4. We must not assume that God approved of his choices. C.God is Sovereign. 1. That means He will accomplish His purposes. 2. If we don t let Him accomplish His purposes through a life that is submitted to His will
5 3. He may choose to accomplish His purposes by showing others the great hardship that comes to a person who doesn t submit to His will. 4. Either way, God s purposes are going to be accomplished. 5. The question isn t Is the Lord going to get His work done? 6. It is, What kind of instrument am I going to be in His hand? 7. We must never assume that God excuses bad decisions! II. How to Make a Bad Decision (14:1-3). A.Samson Went to the Wrong Place (14:1a). 1. Samson had no business going to Timnath to look at the daughters of the Philistines.
6 2. Timnath was only a few miles away from where Samson and his parents lived 3. It would have been an easy walk, but it was enemy territory. 4. At this time the cruel, wicked, idolatrous Philistines occupied this city. 5. These were the very people from whom Samson was supposed to be delivering the Children of Israel. 6. If we want to avoid wasting our life by making wise decisions, then there are certain places we just ought not to be (Psa 1:1). 17 Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. (2 Cor 6:17, NIV) 7. If we want to avoid making bad decisions, we should avoid the wrong places, but we ought to embrace right places.
7 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2, NIV) B.Samson Gave in to the Lust of His Eyes (14:1b-2). 1. There s no question about what attracted Samson to this woman it was her looks. 2. John tells us, 16 For everything in the world the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does comes not from the Father but from the world. (1John 2:16, NIV) 3. Does that mean that it is wrong to look at a beautiful woman? Or beautiful things? NO! 4. However, if we look at someone or something and it compromises my relationship with Christ or the Truth of Scripture then it is wrong!
8 5. That is the lust of the eyes Eve saw, coveted, and took of the fruit that God had forbidden. 6. It continues on in the lives of Christians day in and day out! a. How many folks have violated God s principles of stewardship because they gave in to the lust of the eyes? b. How many families have been destroyed because a husband or a wife gave in to the lust of the eyes? 7. Bad decisions are made when we give in to the lust of the eyes! C.He Scorned the Counsel of Others (14:3). 1. Samson is going against all the godly counsel in the world in these verses.
9 a. He s doing something that was strictly forbidden in the Scripture! 3 Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, (Deut 7:3, NIV) b. Why not? There can be no spiritual unity in such a marriage - you can t pray together - you won t worship together - you won t serve God together - you won t rear your children with godly examples and principles. c. But.I know so and so who married an unsaved person and that person accepted Christ. d. That is only the grace of God, for every story of one I could tell you of ten others whose families suffered greatly because of it!
10 e. You simply cannot violate the Word of God and expect God to bless your life! 2. Samson wouldn t listen to his parents godly counsel in this matter. 3. He had a strong body, but he was a weakling spiritually speaking! 15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. (Proverbs 12:15, NIV) Conclusion Samson... He Went to the Wrong Place (v. 1a). He Gave in to the Lust of His Eyes (v. 1b-2). He Scorned the Counsel of Others (v. 3). We don t have to commit every mistake in order to learn, we can learn from others. Let s learn from Samson s life.
11 Determine that you will begin making wise choices in your life. The wisest of all is to come to Christ in faith. For the believer it is to walk with God daily in obedience to His Word.