Samson’s Character Defect Makes Him Weak — Step 6

STEP 6: We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10

We find Samson in the book of Judges—a period of time in the Bible where God would send a leader (or judge) to deliver the people of Israel from their sin and oppression. Samson was one of Israel’s judges. As a child, he had been dedicated to God, and God had given him with supernatural strength, but Samson had a lifelong weakness—the way he related to women. Samson was especially blinded to the dangers he faced in his relationship with Delilah. His enemies were paying her to discover the secret of his strength. Three times she begged Samson to tell her his secret. Each time she set him up and tried to hand him over to the enemy. Three times Samson lied to her and was able to escape, but each time he got closer to telling her the truth. Finally, Samson revealed his secret and was taken captive. In the end, Samson humbled himself before the Lord and asked that his strength be restored one last time. In that moment, God gave Samson the strength to tear down the temple.

The story of Samson shows what happens to a person when they refuse to learn from their past mistakes and become ready to have God remove our defects of character. Doing things our way still leads to enslavement and suffering; following God’s will and allowing him to remove our defects of character is our only path to freedom.

Samson’s real problem was pride and inability to recognize his weakness to women. Had Samson been willing to have God remove these defects of character, he could have remained strong and acted according to God’s will. We are often victimized in our own life by thoughts of what might have been. Samson shows us that as long as we have life, we have hope. It is never too late to turn our life over to God and allow him to redeem us and restore what has been lost. In spite of his failures, Samson is listed as a champion of faith in Hebrews chapter 11. In spite of our failures, we too can be champions of faith as we continue to rely on God and allow him to remove our defects of character.

Samson’s Key Verses for Step 6

Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow, please let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.” Judges 16:28 NLT

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, ⁱJephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lion,  quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.  Hebrews 11:32-34

Examine your heart

1. Samson’s strength brought him pride and part of our old life was holding on to defenses in an attempt to protect our addiction and compulsive behaviors. How can we let go of those character defects and still feel safe?
2. As Hebrew 11 shows us, Samson had a weakness, but also had character assets as he was still strong for God. Are there some character assets you can find within yourself?
3. Samson’s relationship with Delilah shows us how destructive and harmful some situations in our lives can be. As we become willing to have God remove our defects of character, are there some relationship changes we might consider as well?

Learn More—The complete story of Samson is found in Judges Chapter 13 through 16. The book of Judges can be found on page 301 of the second edition of The Life Recovery Bible.