Be Ye Doers. . . Of The Word!

Sin is a tragic happening to everyone who has lived past the age of accountability. It drifts in like the fog on the Ohio River and surrounds everything it touches. Sin destroys and cripples lives to the point of uselessness. Look at the alcoholic, the wife beater, or the adulterer; and you will see the true face of sin. If you desire more graphic evidence of sin, just look at Calvary. Crucifixion is what sin did to our Lord (2 Corinthians 5:21). Even though Jesus was sinless, He took our sins upon Him.

In the beginning sin has soft features and an alluring enchantment, but in the end it hurts families, individuals, friends, and God. Sin has no favorites. It probably is the most unbiased thing in the world except for God's perfect love. Sin has touched the lives of God's children beginning in the Garden of Eden and will not cease until Jesus returns.

If sin cripples and destroys, how do we warn others of this nemesis? How can we explain how sin entices? The Bible focuses on one word to warn God's people of approaching danger. That word is REMEMBER. The Hebrew writer calls on those who have forgotten God, who have become sluggards in their Christianity to remember their former days (Hebrews 10:32). In 1 Corinthians 10:11, after Paul has reiterated Israel's love affair with sin, he exhorts Christians. He explains that all these things happened unto them (Israel) for examples; and they are written for our admonition. The Old Testament was written not only to teach us the right way, but to help us not make the same mistakes as they did. The Old Testament will take us to "school," if we only allow it to. Today, I want us to go back to that schoolmaster. I want each one of us to take a journey back to the book of Judges and examine the life of Samson. Through the eyes of Samson, we can focus on sin. We can see how it works in the lives of people just like you and me. Samson's life is a stark portrayal of the effects of sin. Sin took Samson on a journey to destruction. The sin in Samson's life came in three tragic phases. Let us travel back in the ultimate time machine, the Bible, and see Samson's plight.

#1
Sin Took Him Farther
Than He Wanted To Go

Sin took Samson farther than he wanted to go. Sin is like that. Many think that they can JUST sin once and be able to stop. The example of Lot's life bears record of this. Lot pitched his "tent" toward sin, and before long he was in the "city." In Judges 16:1 the Bible tells us that Samson went to Gaza, and saw a prostitute, and went in to her. He probably thought like many in today's society. One fling — what harm will that do? I hear the same kind of thinking even among "professing" Christians. One beer — how in the world can that hurt? After all, it was just a "social" drink. – no problem. But that is how every alcoholic started out — with JUST ONE. Just one cigarette. Just one joint. I'll only commit adultery just this once. This thinking has left a trail of broken bodies, homes, and lives throughout the history of mankind. In this twisted wreckage are the "FRUITS" of sin. Just like those of today, Samson was enticed by SIN. He, like others who litter the graveyard of history, couldn't quit. The Bible says he left one sinful situation for another. In Judges 16:4 the word of God says that after he committed fornication with the harlot, he loved a woman named Delilah. This was to be Samson's Waterloo.

#2
Sin Kept Him Longer
Than He Wanted To Stay

Samson thought he could get out of any problem that might befall him at any time. He reflects the "deep thinkers" of the 90's. I can stop drinking anytime. If I want to stop smoking, I can do it tomorrow. Samson thought to himself that he could leave his situation at any time. He, like others, played right into the devil's hand. Sin deceives. Just think of all those who will be deceived by sin when Jesus comes back. Think of those who thought they had tomorrow to repent. Think of those who said to themselves, "Next week I'll become a Christian. Next week I will start serving God. Next week I will make a change in my life." Even though Delilah plotted against Samson, he thought that he would always be able to escape. If sin has any redeeming value, it is persistence. Sin is always knocking at the door. Sin cries peace and safety when only danger exists. The Bible says to flee from fornication, but neither sin nor Delilah would give up. She made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. And she said, "The Philistines be upon thee, Samson!" And he awoke out of his sleep and said, "I will go out as other times before, and shake myself." And he knew not that the Lord had departed from him (Judges 16:19-20). Sin kept him longer than he wanted to stay. Like Samson, those in sin don't know that God has already left them. They, like Samson, believe that they can escape at a moment's notice. They don't realize that sin has a death grip upon their lives, and their only escape is Jesus Christ. Those who forsake the assembly and miss the Lord's Supper tell me that they haven't left the Lord. That may be true in their minds, but God has already left them. There is no "once saved always saved." If you are in sin, get out, else the example of Samson will become a reality in your life.

#3
Sin Cost Him More
Than He Wanted To Pay

Not only did the Philistines capture Samson, but they put out his eyes. They used him like a mule to grind in the prison. His sin caused spiteful words to be spoken of God. The Philistines worshipped their god, Dagon, and proclaimed, "Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hands" (Judges 16:23). The twenty-fifth verse proclaims that while they were in high spirits, they shouted, "Bring out Samson so he might entertain us." Samson was brought out to be made sport of. As he was led through the crowd he asked the servant to let him stand between two pillars so he could brace himself. Then Samson asked God if he could die with the Philistines. Samson pushed with all his strength, and the roof caved in killing not only Samson, but all the Philistines as well.

Let us examine what sin did to Samson. Sin cost him more than he wanted to pay. It cost him his eyes, his freedom, his pride, his life, and his God. What a terrible price to pay for sin. But the greatest price mankind can pay for unrepented sin is ETERNITY in HELL. The rich man in Luke sixteen understands this. I pray that Samson, in his death, has finally made you realize the cost of sin. You see, THESE THINGS WERE WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION.