Judges 16:1-31 Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in to her.… We still need to learn what true strength is, and that both physical and intellectual power may be the means of moral weakness. I. STRENGTH FROM ANCESTRY. Victor Hugo remarks: "If you want to reform a man, you must begin with his grandmother." The parents of Samson were sober and pious people. The weakening effects of strong drinks upon posterity are well known. One thing that makes it hard to be born again is being born wrong the first time. II. STRENGTH THROUGH CONSECRATION. III. STRENGTH MAY BECOME WEAKNESS. Great powers imply great passions. With every increase of faculty come more subtle temptations. There is nothing so destructive to strength and youth as sensual sin. IV. STRENGTH FORFEITED THROUGH FALSEHOOD. He broke his vow, and with it broke faith with God. No one can really betray the strong man but himself. Break trust with God, and sin will be too strong for you, and the Philistines of the soul will enslave you. V. LAST EFFORT OF STRENGTH. The mercy of God gave him still a chance. He was not wholly lost. So do you, already weakened by falsehood to God and your best self, use the strength that remains. Make one last effort to break the chains that bind you. A little more, and your strength will be entirely gone. (G. Elliott.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.WEB: Samson went to Gaza, and saw there a prostitute, and went in to her. |
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