Samson, A Double-Minded Man

Single mindedness is UN-natural, UN-normal, not the norm... it is breaking

out of the rut, out of the mold, going against the flow, and takes as much effort as swimming upstream.

It requires a moment in time when you come to yourself and decide that you

are ready to change… committed to change.

Two verses are helpful:

Psalm 119:112.. My heart is set on keeping your decrees, to the very end.

Judges 16:30 Then Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines."

David and Samson had defining moments of decision.

FOR DAVID.... it was sitting in sackcloth and ashes for days and days, grieving over his sin and the consequences. It was during that time, I believe

the scriptures show, that David was broken over his sin... adultery, murder, lying, and man-slaughter. He was grieved to see the destruction in his own wake and knew that he, and he alone, was responsible. The guilt drove him

to the point of decision (Ps 51) that HE WOULD CHANGE.... and he

would have one life goal now--- To follow him whole-heartedly and to lead others to do the same.

He loved God before, he served God before, he was used of God

before.... BUT HE NEEDED A MOMENT OF DECISION TO STOP

BEING DOUBLE-MINDED!

Because of the defining moment... David's life is not defined by his sin...

(even though he sinned later) but as "A man after God's own heart."

For Samson, it came as he sat bald, and bound in the Philistine prison.

His eyes poked out, leaving him helpless. His hands and feet were bound

and he was powerless to break free. As he sat there he had a chance to do

some heavy reflection. And what he saw he did not like. And it was then

that he began to rededicate himself The scripture says, "His hair began to grow." And then, as he stood in the temple, led by a child, mocked, and

spat on.... He made a decision to serve God totally&. "To the very end."

He was single-minded. •

Because of his defining moment, Samson is not defined by his sin or

his weakness. The New Testament remembers him as a man "Whose

weakness was turned to strength." Heb. 11

Many of you have never had a defining moment of decision, You have never sat in sack cloth and ashes, broken over your

sin.

You gloss it over by saying, "Everybody is doing it." Or "It is not as bad

as Joe", or It's not so bad and after all, God will forgive it."

You have had a moment of decision asking for salvation.... BUT NOT

FOR DEDICATION!!!!!!!!

You will not become a Single-minded person until you are first broken

by your sin and then have a defining moment of decision when you decide,

at whatever cost, YOUR JD;ART ISSET ON FOLLOWING HIM, ON KEEPING HIS DECREES, TO THE END.

2. A RE-ORIENTATION

Again two verses are appropriate:

24:15 "CHOOSE for yourself, TillS DAY, whom you will follow, BUT AS FOR ME and my household, we WILL SERVE THE LORD.

Luke 9:23 If any man would be my follower, HE MUST DENY HIMSELF AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY AND FOLLOW ME.

Joshua said, "THIS DAY" and Jesus said "DAILY"

It is so easy to become double-minded, the world calls to us, the flesh appeals

to us, Satan tempts us, etc.