What we lost and seek to gain - Part III

The same scenario was repeated with Samson. First of all, he let go of God’s Word (gave into temptation) and his hair was cut off (which represented his strength). Secondly, the enemy (the Philistines) gouged out his eyes so he could no longer see. Samson ended up becoming a slave, a prisoner, a disgrace to God’s intention for his life. When strong men fall, oh how great is the fall.

We all are like Samson when we are born-again, but when we yield to the temptations of life, Satan drags us back into bondage and cuts our strength and subsequently our sight (Judg. 16:15-21; Gal. 5:1; Rms. 8:2). Our strength no longer lies in our hair (fleshly /carnal things), but in our hearts; this is where the river of God flows out into the world from - our spirit where God dwells. When we choose not to trust God (yield to temptation), our strength leaves us. We are unable to ward off or fight the enemy because we can no longer see God high and lifted up. As believers, we draw our strength from His presence (Is. 6:1; Ps. 121:1-2; 16:11; Nehm. 8:10; Is. 12:3). Without our strength of trusting in God, believing His Word regardless of circumstances, sadly we are dragged off by the enemy to live a life of slavery and bondage, the opposite of God’s intention for us (Jerm. 29:11).

The veil of darkness over our heart is thicker than we think; and only when we start pursuing God to see Him high and lifted up do we come to realize it’s going to take effort and work on our part. To be persistent and consistent in building and tearing down at the same time (Jerm. 1:10) requires spiritual dexterity in both arenas as a dual citizen of heaven and earth (Eph. 2:6) cont'd...