“And [Samson] came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines…Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.” (Judges 14:2-3)
Most every Christian is familiar with the tragic story of Samson. Every time we read this story, we are reminded of the lure and consequences when one runs after sin. There are two things we learn about sin that I would like to bring to your attention.
FIRST—The POWERFUL PROMISE of Sin.
Samson, had a great start in life. He grew up in a godly home, raised by godly parents. But at some point he began living after his flesh. He started going after what his eyes wanted. So, one day when Samson was around an ungodly crowd (the Philistines) he saw a woman that attracted him. He came back and said to his parents, “Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.” It is interesting to note that he couldn’t say she pleased the Lord, only that she pleased him.
Satan will bring your particular taste of temptation wrapped up in the most alluring package possible. Sin promises to bring you fulfillment in your lust. It tells the person who is addicted to porn that they will get the sexual satisfaction they desire. It tells the person addicted to gambling that they will get the big “Pay Day” of wealth they are greedily seeking. It tells the young teen that they will be part of the “in crowd” and finally have the acceptance they seek, if they will only partake of their sin.
Yes, sin promises an awful lot. It promises pleasure without consequences. “Get her for me (Samson said); for she pleaseth me well.”
SECOND—The AWFUL PROBLEM with Sin.
Only a couple of chapters after he told his parents that this Philistine woman pleased him well, the Bible says in chapter 16:1, “Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.” WHAT??? But I thought you said the first woman pleased you, Samson?
Samson was learning the awful problem with sin…sin will constantly make promises it cannot keep. It promises to bring a fulfillment in sin that can only be found in Christ. The Bible says that there is pleasure in sin, but only for a season.
I promise you, that sin you are chasing after today will leave you empty and lacking pleasure tomorrow. Satan will show you the pleasure without showing you the consequences. But here’s the really painful part…the consequences of your sin will last far longer than the pleasure you got from your sin.
Has Satan begun to lure you with some temptation? Has he already promised you gratification from some sin? Turn from it, now! Run away as fast as you can! It’s not worth it. It will promise fulfillment, but only leave you empty.