Our Focus Matters

 Judges 13-16; 2 Corinthians 2 

“The Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat…One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her.”

Judges 14:6; 16:1

Where did Samson’s strength come from?

The Spirit of the Lord anointed him.

What was his focus?

Samson focused on the enemy. Whether he was with Philistine women or taking vengeance on Philistine men, Samson was focused on the Philistines. The purpose of the Nazirite vow was to be separate or consecrated to the Lord.

Why was Samson not focused on the Lord?

Samson was not taught to seek the Lord. He used the anointing and strength of God’s presence for his own purposes. When we focus on either the enemy, or ourselves, our spiritual gifts become prostituted. Using spiritual gifts to gain approval, to make money, or even take revenge all led to Samson’s destructive end. God’s invitation is that we, too, receive power so we can become his gospel witnesses… for his glory.

“Lord God, I offer back to you the spiritual gifts you have given to me for your mission and glory.”