- He went to the wrong place.
- He was looking for the wrong thing.
- He rejected Godly counsel.
- He continued an inappropriate relationship.
- He compromised his commitment.
- He ignored his weaknesses.
- He wanted revenge rather than repentance.
Judges 16:21“Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in prison.”
Judges 16:28-30 “Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me, Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes. Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. Samson said, ‘Let me die with the Philistines!’ Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived ˚
God still used Samson at the end of his life. Passion can be powerful when used right, but passion can be paralyzing and can bring pain.
Passion is not a personality; it’s perseverance during persecution.
Samson had a type of dangerous, misplaced passion. Jesus is the best example of the right passion; He persevered on the cross.
Where is your passion today? If your passion is misplaced, you’re missing out on the peace and joy God has for you. You’re missing out on seeking first the Kingdom of God, which meets every need in your life.
Wrong passion and mistaking lust for love resulted in spiritual blindness and physical blindness over Samson.
The Challenge
- Is there a sinful desire God is calling you to repent so you can have a time of refreshing? (Maybe it’s your hobby, the opposite sex, the wrong person or perhaps it’s a passion for the same-sex attraction)
- Repent and be refreshed.