The Enemy Of Self - Samson

When her son was born, she named him Samson. And the LORD blessed him as he grew up. And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him while he lived in Mahaneh-dan, which is located between the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol.

Judges 13:24-25

When asked what traits set actors apart from other people, British actor Michael Wilding answered, “Without a doubt, you can pick out actors by the glazed look that comes into their eyes when the conversation wanders away from themselves.”

People tend to look up to those with big egos—fame-seeking pop stars, chest-thumping athletes, power-hungry politicians—but it’s the man who learns to put self aside who makes a difference for God’s Kingdom.

If anyone had the chance to leave a legacy of greatness, it was Samson. The Bible says that God blessed this strong man from the time he was a boy and that his Spirit began to stir within him in his youth.

That’s when self got in the way.

Something went terribly wrong between God’s Spirit and Samson that prevented his establishing himself with other giants of the faith such as Abraham, Joseph, and David.

The problem, simply put, was that Samson didn’t use the gifts God had given him as the leader and deliverer God called him to be. Instead, he used them for his own agenda. Samson was a consistently proud and often immoral man who arrogantly disregarded the counsel of others. He used his incredible strength to exact revenge and settle scores.

Samson didn’t care about being obedient to God or serving his people.

God gave Samson all the strength he needed to succeed in anything he set out to do. Samson squandered an opportunity for greatness and left a legacy of pride because he was only looking out for himself.

God has given you all the gifts you need to be a difference maker in your home, at your workplace, and in your church. Will you use those gifts for his benefit, or will you use them just for yourself?