Sermon Central
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The Matters Of The Heart
Contributed by Segun Omole on Jan 14, 2009 (message contributor)
Judge 16: 1-31
I have heard and read quite a number of analysis of the weakness of Samson, his lack of self control and his inability to resist the power of a woman...well, guess these are all correct in their own ways but I would like to look at this man of God from another perspective. I believe Samson’s problem was a matter of the heart. Bible says guide your heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.
I wouldn’t say that Samson lacked self control...Samson was a strong man who had everything but lacked love. In chapter 14 of Judges this ’strong man’ had a wife but his wife was taken and given to his ’best’ friend..hmmm...as a man, I know that is terrible on any man’s ego. I know you will say that he deserved it, after all his parents warned him against the marriage...well, you may be right in your judgement but I believe as the bible said Samson’s ’mistakes’ was part of God’s plan and purpose for his life.
So, here is a man who’d been married before and had enjoyed the companionship and intimacy of marriage, now very lonely...hmmmm…married folks would tell you that it is a bit difficult to live by yourself after enjoying the companionship of marriage. Believe me, as a single man there are times you feel very lonely...you just want to be held and pampered...especially after winning a serious battle!! You want someone to share the victory moment with you. You even want to be pampered like a child at times. Someone said there is a king in every kid and there is a kid in every king...
Samson is introduced in chapter 16 "Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her..." Looking for love in the wrong place you’d say...but then in the 4th verse see him again... "he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah..". In his search for companionship and intimacy he’d found himself in the house of a woman from Timnath, in the house of a prostitute and now finally his wearied soul has "fallen" in love with a certain Delilah..Samson was lead in his search by his passion and desire rather than by the spirit of God. Isn’t that what we all do in some areas of our life?? We are very spiritual in certain areas of our life but very sensual in other areas...
I would like to submit that Samson is an example of an average Christian today...Very anointed and strong in the battlefields of life but still not fulfilled in the matters of the heart...and you and I know that the matter of the heart is the heart of the matter...Guide your heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life..Samson lost his sight, his destiny, his anointing, his strength, and then his life because he did not guard his heart well enough...
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