Misusing Our Power

Misusing Our Power

Delilah

Read: Judges 16:6-21

She finished brushing her hair and glanced at her watch. He would be here any minute. Of course, he’d bring flowers or candy, and maybe a box with something sparkling in it. She really should break if off—after all, it wasn’t fair to him. She felt no real attraction to him, although he seemed serious right from the start. But not yet—it was nice to be worshiped and to call all the shots. All she had to do was to name a restaurant or play, mention a home repair that needed to be done, or talk about some financial worry. She knew she had a good thing going, and she wanted to enjoy it awhile longer.

Delilah was in a similar situation. When Samson fell in love with her, she could have insisted on a proper relationship as husband and wife. She could have influenced him to rise above his tendency to pull spiteful pranks and encouraged him to take his role as Israel’s judge seriously. Delilah could have helped Samson to become a man whom others could respect and admire for more than his occasional displays of physical strength. Instead, she used her power to betray him to his enemies in return for riches.

We often don’t realize the power we have in relationships with boyfriends, husbands, children, relatives, and friends. The closer the relationship, the more vulnerable the other person is. Whether we realize it or not, we use that influence in ways that either help or harm our loved ones. We can use the relationship for our own gain without considering the other person’s needs, or we can bring out the best in them by encouraging them to develop into the person God intends them to be. Being the object of someone’s love brings great responsibility. We are ultimately accountable to God for how we handle it.

I have thought deeply about all that goes on here under the sun, where people have the power to hurt each other.

Ecclesiastes 8:9