What part of your anatomy drives you? Some people are intellectual. They think everything through. They analyze, and think through every decision. They are driven by their brain. But sometimes a person’s intellect can be wrong, and the brain can fool. Others are emotional. They are moved by feelings. We might call them romantics. They are driven by their heart. But emotions can be confusing and misleading. Many people have made stupid choices that were based on emotions. Samson, like many men, was moved by, shall we say, a different part of his anatomy. He’s a manly man! If he sees something he wants, he takes it. If he sees a woman that he desires, he gets her, no matter what the consequence.
God had told his people not to marry women from different cultures. The issue wasn’t race, but religion. God didn’t want his people to marry someone who would tempt them to serve other gods. But Samson saw a Philistine woman he liked, and he went for her. God had told him not to touch a dead body (remember the Nazirite vow), but when he saw honey in the carcass of a lion, he wanted it and he got it! When he is tricked by his fiancee and her Philistine friends, he gets mad, goes out and kills 30 men to pay the debt he owed. Samson is a stud, but eventually, being led by his flesh is going to get the best of him.
God’s desire is that we be led by the Spirit. What does this mean? It means that our choices and lifestyle are driven by the Spirit of God who dwells in the life of the Christian. We are to seek God’s desire and purpose for our lives, and allow God’s Spirit to direct. When the mind is unsure, the Spirit will guide you. When your emotions are out of whack, the Spirit can calm and comfort. When your flesh is desiring something that can hurt you, the Spirit of God can strengthen you. “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:13).” What part of your anatomy drives you?
A note about God’s use of Samson to accomplish His will. It seems strange that God would use a guy like Samson. As you read on in this story, you will see that Samson is not really that concerned about following God and doing His will. But God uses Him. God’s purpose for Samson is to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Philistines. God accomplishes this purpose, at times using the sinful choices Samson makes. This teaches that God is going to accomplish His plan. On the other hand, Samson will eventually suffer grave consequences for his sin. So even though God accomplishes His plan, there are still consequences for sin. It would be much easier for Samson, and for you and me, if we would follow God’s plan and lived as people filled with the Holy Spirit. He will accomplish His plan, but we would experience a much better life with Him if we trust and obey Him.