Samson was a real-life super-hero, an ancient Israelite Superman. Many people are familiar with his superhuman exploits, about how Samson killed a lion with his bare hands, single-handedly destroyed a thousand-man Philistine army with no weapon other than the jawbone of a donkey, and about how he was a one-man wrecking crew that demolished a Philistine temple. If you would like to read it for yourself in the Bible, Samson's story is found in the Book of Judges 13-16.
But just as Superman is vulnerable to kryptonite, Samson had his weakness too. No, it was not his treacherous lover Delilah nor was it the most famous hair-cut in history which she gave him. The source of Samson's strength was not his long hair, but his faith in God symbolized by his long hair. Samson forgot the source of his strength was God, not himself. When his pride led him to abandon his faith in God, God abandoned Samson to his fate.
Samson's kryptionite was a lack of self-control. As strong as he was, Samson never learned to control his temper, his lusts, or his pride. His lack of self-control ruined his marriage, damaged his reputation, and limited his usefulness to God. Proverbs 16:32 says, "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." That was certainly true of Samson, but it let not be said of us.
- Travis L. Quertermous preaches for the Church of Christ in Dexter, MO. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.dexterchurchofchrist.com/
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