The Girls, the Gold, and the Glory

So he (Samson) went up and told his father and mother, saying, "I have seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore, get her for me as a wife (Judges 14:2).

Marrying a Philistine was forbidden by God for the Israelites. The Philistines worshipped idols, and intermarrying with the Philistines would bring the curses associated with idolatry to Israel.

Samson was dedicated to God from his birth. His mother had taken a Nazarite vow before his birth. Samson was dedicated to do the will of God. The anointing of a judge and deliverer for Israel came upon Samson when he was a young man. Supernatural strength rose up within him, and God used him to deliver Israel from her enemies.

But Samson had flesh problems. He liked forbidden Philistine women. This became his downfall. He became so numb to God that he was not aware when the anointing left him. His flesh cost him his life.

Years ago Lester Sumrall mentioned three hindrances those in ministry should guard against. They were the girls, the gold, and the glory. Take measures in your own life to guard against these potential pitfalls.

The Girls. If you’re married, decide to remain with your spouse for life. Nurture your relationship with your mate. Refuse any personal friendship with the opposite sex that does not include your spouse. Refuse to eat meals alone with the opposite sex and refuse to get into your car alone with someone of the opposite sex unless your spouse is with you. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you’re single, refuse to be alone with the opposite sex. Keep yourself pure.

The Gold. Be careful when God blesses you financially. We are to shun covetousness and are to be content with what we have. The spirit of our age is covetousness. The love of money is rampant, even in the church. Yes, God wants to bless, but we should be very careful not to manipulate or use money as the motivation for what we do.

The Glory. Pride is a deep human problem. It was transferred to us in the fall from Satan. Pride was found in him while he served before the throne of God in heaven. We all have the tendency to self glory. We must constantly humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, and give all the glory to Jesus when others are blessed by our efforts. God will not share His glory with another.

Perhaps the Apostle Paul said it best in 1 Corinthians 9:27- Amplified:
But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].