What can we learn about temptation from Samson's behavior in Judges 14:9? Setting the Scene “Samson reached out for the honey, ate it, and gave some to his parents. But he did not tell them he had taken the honey from the carcass of the lion.” (Judges 14:9) Observations from Samson’s Choice • The honey looked harmless—sweet, nourishing, convenient. • To obtain it, Samson had to violate his Nazirite vow by touching a dead body (Numbers 6:6). • He involved others (his parents) without disclosing the compromise. • He kept the whole incident hidden, suggesting an awareness of wrongdoing. Principles About Temptation • Temptation often appears attractive and harmless. Eve “saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes” (Genesis 3:6). • Yielding usually begins with a small, private compromise. “Each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires” (James 1:14). • Sin prefers secrecy; hiding accelerates bondage (Proverbs 28:13). • Temptation rarely affects only the temptee; Samson’s parents became ceremonially defiled unknowingly. “A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough” (Galatians 5:9). • God always provides an exit: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man…He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Living It Out Today • Examine attractive offers: What vow, boundary, or command would I cross to get this “honey”? • Refuse secrecy: bring weaknesses into the light with a trusted believer (Ephesians 5:11). • Guard those around you: my compromises can stumble family and friends (Romans 14:13). • Rely on provided escapes—prayer, Scripture, accountability—before the small step becomes a pattern (Matthew 26:41). Samson teaches that temptation often comes wrapped in sweetness, but hidden beneath is the defilement that dulls devotion, damages others, and distances us from God’s best. |
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