Warnings signs are set up to give precautionary notice of possible occurrences.
But there are signs I saw in the internet that are so funny that I want to share with you today.
Have you seen these kinds of signs?
1. "Do not Breathe under the water" - of course, you cannot breathe under the water.
2. "Sandals only strictly enforced. No pants allowed." - No comment.
3. "Warning, Trespassers will be prostituted." - It should have been persecuted or prosecuted.
4. "Warning, children left unattended will be sold to the circus."
5. "Attention, Do not stand, sit, climb or lean on zoo fences. If you fall, animals could eat you and that might make them sick." -Who is more important, the people or the animals?
Everywhere you go in life there are warning signs.
There are signs along the roadway that point to dangers that lie ahead.
Only a fool ignores those signs.
To do so can lead to serious injury or death.
For instance, there are warning signs when physical illness are just starting in a person's life.
Pain, headache and fatigue are all indications that there are problems going on in the body.
To ignore those signs can lead to serious illness or death.
There are also warning signs when emotional problems ahead?
Feelings of sadness, feelings of hopelessness, feelings of anxiety and other unwarranted feelings are sign that there may be depression.
Again, to ignore those warning signs can lead to far worse mental issues.
Then, there are warning signs of spiritual illness.
When we have difficulty committing to the work of the Lord.
We don’t attend church regularly.
We don’t pray and we don’t give as we should.
There are times when we harbor bitterness and unforgiveness in our hearts.
We hold onto hurts and have hard feelings toward others.
There are times when we flirt with sin.
We mess around in areas where we have no business being there.
When we ignore these warning signs, and there are many more we could mention, we are headed for spiritual shipwreck.
In our text, Samson manifests all the signs of a man who is headed for trouble in his life, particularly in his search for a wife.
Yet, he ignored every one of those signs and traveled ever farther down a road that would lead to dishonor, defeat and death.
As Samson took these first steps down the road to ruin, he had no idea where his path would ultimately lead him.
He had no idea how bad things would be at the end of the way but he kept on walking towards that direction.
He never turned back and changed his course.
If only he heeded the signs, Samson could have avoided many of the problems he faced later in life.
I want us to notice the signs that should have stopped Samson in his tracks and sent him in a new direction.
As we look at these signs, I want you to know that you can see the signs that point to danger ahead.
By heeding the signs that should have served to warn Samson, we can see the signs that signal danger in our own lives and overcome them.
And so, because Samson did not take heed of these signs, his marriage failed.
God does not want our marriages to fail.
In fact, He gave us strict instructions what to do in the first place.
Proverbs 31:10 (NIV) “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”
It says here that there are people looking for a life partner the wrong way.
They look at a woman and are attracted by her physical beauty and use this as a basis for marriage.
But the Scripture tells us that physical beauty is not enough for a life partner.
We must focus on the beauty of a noble character.
Noble means dignified and excellent manifesting godly attitudes.
Looking for such a woman takes time, much prayer and godly wisdom.
But eventually, once you find that kind of a woman, it is worth more than all the treasures of this world.
She is worth far more than rubies.
And this kind of a woman can be developed over time.
Samson failed in that area and we can learn some valuable lessons from his life.
WARNING SIGNS OF FAILED MARRIAGE
1. HIS DESIRES
Judges 14:1-3 (NIV) “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?”
Notice the first three words of the first verse: "Samson went down."
He should have gone up where God is, but he was being brought down where sin lies and he did not notice it.
In the same manner, if we know that there are things that are bringing us down to destruction, we must beware.
Instead of going downhill, we must desire to go uphill.
Up is the place of triumph and victory.
Down is the place of defeat and failures.
And so, are you going up or are you going down?
It says that Samson went down when he saw this young Philistine woman.
That means he focused his eyes and concentrate his desires on that young woman alone.
And this became his downfall. Why?
Because there were a lot of things that were in Timnah that he should have sees and concentrated upon.
He could focus on the beautiful houses, he could look on the scenery, he could focus on the culture, the arts and the many beautiful geographical places in that area, but instead the text says that Samson saw only one thing, there was one thing that captivated his thoughts, one thing that he desired most: it was that young Philistine woman.
And the more he thinks about this woman that he has met for the first time, the more his desires developed.
And this simple look developed into a full bloom lust in his eyes.
You see, sinful desires when it is full bloom can bring forth death.
When a person is overpowered with his desires, there is no more self-control.
There is no more self-discretion.
There is no more self-discipline.
Once desire overwhelms your mind, lust can drag you away from the truth.
James 1:14 (NIV) "14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed."
This is a warning sign for all of us.
Beware of sinful desires because it could drag you away from the pure devotion of God.
Imagine, Samson, who was so strong physically and was filled by the Spirit on his birth was being dragged or drawn away by his lustful desires.
You see, true strength is not measured in how much you can lift objects.
True strength is measured in how well you can control your actions, in how well you control your desires and how well you control your appetites.
Proverbs 16:32 (NIV) "Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city."
It is better to have self-control than to be triumphant in battle.
Going back to our text, we find in verse 2 that when Samson returned home, his mind was still occupied by this young Philistine woman.
He kept his thoughts on this woman during the entire duration of his travel from a foreign land that he decided he should ask his parents to get her as his wife.
We read: “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.”
Imagine, just on the basis of his look on that young woman, without giving the chance to get to know her, Samson concluded that she is the one he needs to marry.
In choosing a life partner, he just based his decision on the outward physical beauty.
He did not even consider the character, the personality, the likes and dislikes of the person.
Brother sand sisters, we must not fall in the same mistake that Samson fell.
If you are being overpowered by your lustful desires, take heed of the warning signs.
Don't let your sinful desires to control your future.
It can bring you down.
Selfish desires will always lead to disorder.
James 3:16 (NIV) 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."
Instead of selfish desires, we must cultivate our godly desires for God.
Because godly desires will always lead to blessings.
Psalms 37:4 (NIV) Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Let me share to you a quote on desire by Audre Lorde.
She was a Caribbean-American writer and civil activist who when she was young, had a difficulty relating with her parents.
She said: "Our vision begins with our desire."
The more we focus on that vision, the more we grow our desires.
That is why we need to give our desires on God.
2. HIS DISRESPECT
Judges 14:3 (NIV) “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.”
Let us learn at how the parents of Samson reacted to his request for a wife.
They said, "Isn't there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people?"
They were actually saying, "The woman you have chosen is not acceptable to us and to all our relatives."
They do not really agree to the decision of their son.
They consider his choice as unsuited or unfit for him.
They wanted him to marry a good Israeli girl instead.
What can you do if you are a parent and your son is about to make a serious mistake?
You have warned him already and gave him options, but he still desires to follow his own will.
Sometimes, there is nothing more you could do but to keep on loving and caring for him.
There is nothing more to do but keep on praying for him that somehow, his eyes will be opened to the truth.
And probably, this mistake will open his eyes to that truth.
However, we find in the latter portion of verse 3 that in spite of the options that his parents gave him, Samson still insisted: “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.”
That means he is already settled in his heart on what he intends to do.
He does not care what his parents think.
He does not care what God thinks.
He does not care whether his decision was right or wrong.
All he cares about is what he thinks, what he wants and what he feels.
This is what disrespect is all about.
Disrespect means you do not appreciation their advises.
Disrespect means you do not consider their ways.
Disrespect means you do not esteem and honor their authority.
Samson has grave disrespect to his parents.
It was a warning sign that there is something wrong in his heart, but he did not listen.
In the same manner, when you find yourself doing as you please with no regard for how your actions impact others, you are headed for trouble.
Disrespect is creeping into your own system.
Disrespect for others, their feelings and their needs is a warning sign.
Take heed.
There will always grave consequences when you disrespect.
Proverbs 20:20 (NIV) "If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness."
The word "snuffed out" means your light will be blown away if you curses your mother or father.
You will be overcome with complete darkness instead of light.
So, instead of disrespect, we must respect them and honor them.
Respect will always please the Lord.
Colossians 3:20 (NIV) “20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."
To respect is to appreciate, to admire, to esteem highly or to honor.
This quote says, "Honor your parents and your sons will honor you."
Firstly, desire.
Secondly, Disrespect.
3. HIS DISOBEDIENCE
Judges 14:5-9 (NIV) 5 Samson went down to Timnah together with his father and mother. As they approached the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young lion came roaring toward him. 6 The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done. 7 Then he went down and talked with the woman, and he liked her. 8 Sometime later, when he went back to marry her, he turned aside to look at the lion’s carcass, and in it he saw a swarm of bees and some honey. 9 He scooped out the honey with his hands and ate as he went along. When he rejoined his parents, he gave them some, and they too ate it. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the lion’s carcass.”
We find here in verse 5 that Samson then went down again to Timnah.
This time, together with his parents.
It was not just himself, but he brought along his parents in a downhill life to destruction.
In the same manner, when sin is left unchecked and not dealt with, those who are close to you will be affected with it.
And so, Samson asked his parents to accompany him to take this young woman of Timnah to be his wife.
But while they were approaching the village, probably, Samson wanders off to himself.
He came upon the vineyards of Timnah, and he was separated from his parents.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a young lion came roaring toward him.
It was a sign that God was preventing Samson from taking this woman as his wife.
It was not God's will for an Israelite to marry a Philistine.
God is never happy whenever you disobey Him.
There is a price to pay for disobedience.
But look at verse 6.
He was able to kill this lion with his bare hands, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is one of the many proofs of his great strengths but eventually, he was being overshadowed by his disobedience.
And what was he, a Nazarite doing in the vineyard?
As a Nazarite, he was dedicated to the Lord since birth.
He could not eat anything that came from a vine nor drink any wine.
He has no business being around a vineyard.
This was simply the nature of Samson's heart - full of disobedience.
Perhaps he thought he was immune to temptation.
Perhaps he thought that the prohibition against the fruit of the vine was for everyone else but not for him.
But his disobedience is revealed by his placing himself in a place where he could be tempted to break his vows to the Lord.
Brothers and sisters, beware of disobedience.
Don't place yourself in a situation where you can be tempted to commit sin.
Don't dare temptation to come.
It is like courting sin.
You will never outwit sin if you do this.
2 Corinthians 6:17 (NIV)17 Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
One more thing that points to the disobedience of Samson.
In verses 8, we find Samson returning to the placed where he killed the lion and there he saw in the lion's carcass a swarm of bees and some honey.
Then, in verse 9, he did the unthinkable.
It was the proof of his disobedience to the Lord's command.
He scooped out the honey with his hands and ate as he went along.
As a Nazarite, he was not supposed to be near or to touch a dead body.
Numbers 6:6 (NIV) 6 “‘Throughout the period of their dedication to the Lord, the Nazirite must not go near a dead body."
When he scooped the honey from the lion's carcass, he violated his vow to the Lord.
He did not care on what God wanted.
He only cared on what he wanted for himself.
This is disobedience at its fullest.
This brought him further down the road of ruin.
Disobedience ca bring about a cursed life.
Deut. 28:15 (NIV) 15 However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you:”
But obedience can bring about a blessed life.
Exodus 19:5 (NIV) 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,"
Firstly, desire.
Secondly, Disrespect.
Thirdly, Disobedience.
4. HIS DECEPTION
Judges 14:6, 9 (NIV) 6 The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done. …9 He scooped out the honey with his hands and ate as he went along. When he rejoined his parents, he gave them some, and they too ate it. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the lion’s carcass.”
Look at how Samson deceived his parents into eating the honey from the lion's carcass.
"He did not tell them..."
He hid his sin from them because he did not want his parents know that he had defied himself.
He gave them honey from the lion's carcass and they ate because they did not know.
Now, why would honey come out from a lion's carcass?
It is known that Palestine had a dry arid condition that would often prevent the outward decay of a corpse.
Because of this, corpses would often be mummified.
And so, bees are always looking for moisture.
They would often look and move into the mummified remains of dead animals and build a hive there.
Disregard for God's will in our lives can often pull us down.
One member can easily pull the rest of the family members away from God with them just like Samson.
Deception can blind us from the true consequences of our actions.
Therefore, beware of having the wrong kind of people as close friends.
Beware of deception.
Deception can lead us astray.
2 Cor. 11:3 (NIV) “3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”
We need godly wisdom to fight deception.
Godly wisdom will protect us from evil.
Proverbs 4:6 (NIV) “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.”
Closing Story:
One man was travelling and suddenly he got to the paradise.
He sat down under the desire tree (there is such tree in the paradise, sitting under which you can immediately fulfill any your desire, you just need to think about it) and thought: “I am hungry, so it would be nice to have a bite right now.”
And when he just thought about this, a table full of different dishes that he was thinking about appeared right before him.
Wow! – The man was surprised, – but it can’t be! – He thought so, and the table with dishes disappeared immediately. “It would be nice to get it back!” – And dishes appeared again.
He ate a plenty of dishes – he has never eaten such tasty food before.
After satisfying hunger he thought: it would be nice to drink something – and a perfect wine appeared immediately, because there are no restrictions in the paradise.
Lying in the shadow of the tree and drinking wine, he started wondering:
Why these miracles do happen? It just can’t be that everything would be so good – probably some ghosts played a joke on me.
Suddenly the ghosts appeared. They were terrible and looked like he imagined them.
The man became scared and thought: now they will kill me!
And they killed him.
Everyone lives in the world that he deserves but eventually, if he did not take the warning signs, it can kill him and it would be too late.
My prayer is that you will see the warning signs in your life today.
Because if you will not, you will continue down the road to ruin.
But if you could see these signs, you must make the necessary changes to get your life on God’s path.
The time to change is now.
It may not be too late to avoid catastrophe in your life.
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