Judges 16:1-31 Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in to her.… The best men that the world ever knew have had their sports. William Wilberforce trundled hoop with his children. Martin Luther helped dress the Christmas-tree. Show me a man who never lights up with sportfulness and has no sympathy with the recreations of others, and I will show you a man who is a stumbling-block to the kingdom of God. Such men are caricatures of religion. I have no confidence in a man who makes a religion of his gloomy looks. God means you to be happy. But, when there are so many sources of innocent pleasure, why tamper with anything that is dangerous and polluting? 1. You may judge of any amusement by its healthful result or by its baleful reaction. If an amusement sends you home at night nervous so you cannot sleep, you have been where you ought not to have been. There are amusements that send a man next day to his work bloodshot, yawning, stupid, nauseated, and they are wrong kinds of amusements. There are entertainments that give a man disgust with the drudgery of life. Our recreations are intended to build us up, and if they pull us down as to our moral or as to our physical strength, you may come to the conclusion that they are obnoxious. 2. Those amusements are wrong which lead into expenditure beyond your means. 3. You may judge of amusements by their effect upon physical health. 4. Again, judge of the places of amusement by the companionship into which they put you. 5. Again, any amusement that gives you a distaste for domestic life is bad. How many bright domestic circles have been broken up by sinful amusements! (T. De Witt Talmage.) 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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