"Misusing God's Grace: The Story of Samson"

0:00 Hello, everyone, and welcome back to the Diary of a Black Woman podcast. I'm your host, Connie Morris, and we're continuing our series, The Games We Play with God. Today's episode is titled, Misusing God's Grace. Grace is one of the most beautiful gifts God offers us, an unmerited favor that we can never earn. But when we take that grace for granted or use it as an excuse to live outside of God's will, we step into dangerous territory. We'll explore the story of Samson, a man anointed by God with incredible strength who misused his gifts for personal gain.

0:48 If you ever struggle with taking God's grace for granted or using his blessings for the wrong purposes, this episode is for you. The story of Samson. The story of Samson begins in Judges 16. So you can read the whole chapter of Judges 16. I want to start here at 15, verses 15 through 17. It reads, Then she said to him, how can you say I love you when you don't confide in me? This is the third time you had made a fool of me and haven't told me the secret of your great strength.

1:31 With such nagging, she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it. So he told her everything. No razor has ever been used on my head, he said, because I have been a Nazarite dedicated to God for my mother's womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me and I would become as weak as any other man. So the story takes place of Samson and Delilah. Many of us know that story. We know Samson was doing some things he wasn't supposed to do. And he messed around with a woman he wasn't supposed to be messing around with.

2:16 And so this woman wanted to know his secret. And so she kept bugging him. What's your secret? What's the secret to your strength? What's the secret to your strength? She wore this man out. But Samson had a strength. It was in his hair. But at one point, this woman, the story, if you read the story, he knew that she was after this strength and was really not for his good. But yet, he continued to play with this woman. And at the end, it became the death of him. And so a lot of times, you know, when we talk about the story of misusing God's grace, we get to a point where we think that we can play with God, or play with other people's emotions who are not playing with God, who play with God. You see what I'm saying?

3:13 So we know Samson knew he wasn't supposed to be with this particular woman. And a lot of times we as women know we're not supposed to be this particular man and vice versa. But this is a diary of a black woman podcast. So it's probably speaking to a lot of women. And so playing this little game here with this man, it was interesting. So let's keep going. So Samson was chosen by God before birth, blessed with supernatural strength to deliver Israel from their enemies. So he had this supernatural strength blessed from birth that God has given him.

3:56 Women, we are given supernatural strength blessed from birth, right? When you know God, all of us are given a special strength. But what happened to Samson can happen to you. But instead of fully honoring God with his gift, Samson often used it recklessly. Pursuing his own desires and ignoring the responsibility of his calling. And this is a diary of black women, so we know we're talking to the women. If there are men listening, then go ahead and listen. But sometimes we, at sometimes, maybe many times, we are called to the ministry, a call to serve, and it's not a glamorous job.

4:45 There was a song out, The Glamorous Life. Nothing about serving in the ministry is really glamorous. Every now and then, it might feel glamorous, it might look glamorous, but we know ladies what it takes to put on a show for us if we're having a women's a conference if we're having a special guest if we're even serving doing the offering if we're even doing anything in ministry we know what it takes to prepare we even get an opportunity to preach we know that that one moment of glamour it took a lot it took a lot of work to get there Right. And so we know here that Samson, we see here that God has chosen him from birth and many of us have been called from birth.

5:35 But how are we honoring that gift that God has given us? But instead of fully honoring God with his gift, Samson often used it recklessly, pursuing his own desires and ignoring the responsibility of his calling. Misusing God's grace doesn't remove it immediately, but it often leads us down a path of destruction. Are you using the gifts of God has given you for his glory or for your own gain we have a lot of podcasts a lot of special a lot of like YouTube whatever social media that's out there and it can start out really good you're using the people are using the Bible they're praying they're fasting to get the word out.

6:32 And then something happens where they start to taint the gift. They're speaking the truth, but they're not getting the likes. So they have to have a little drama in it. They have to kind of maybe, you know, it just starts to get a little bit filtered down. It just starts to get watered down It's not giving the 100% That you did at the first time You know Growing with God And growing people with God It's not an overnight success, It's just not, you know, and if you're in it for the money and you're using your gifts and not, let me start this over, but instead, if you're not honoring God with your gifts and you're using it recklessly for your own desire, it's going to be a lot of trouble in the end.

7:27 You might not feel it right now, but guess what? It's coming. So is it for your gain or God's gain? Is it for the money? Is it for the show? I don't know. It's just up to you. But what is the cost of misusing the grace of God? Let's look at it through what happened to Samson. Samson's story shows us the dangers of taking God's grace for granted. Number one, it compromises or weakens us. We see here that, first of all, Samson wasn't supposed to be with Delilah. He knew that. He knew that. He was playing games with Delilah all along until Delilah, who was good at her game, wore him out.

8:16 So a lot of times we take for granted that the people who you're playing with are good at their game. And so you might just want to stop playing with the devil because God is good. But if you leave a gate open, you're going to get ran over by the devil. It says, number one, compromise weakens us. Standing strong in God is your strength. Samson repeatedly compromised his calling by pursuing relationships and actions that dishonor God. So when you open the door to compromise, you open the door to defeat. Samson was playing with the wrong girl.

8:59 He opened the door to compromise. He pursued a relationship that did not honor God. And he knew that, so he intentionally did it. You got to read the story. He intentionally did it over and over again as it was a game because he knew his power came from God. He knew if he got a little hair on his hair, he's going to win. He's going to win. But at one point, he did not win. At the end, he did win despite the grace of God, but he didn't have to go through all that. Number two, the loss of spiritual sensitivity.

9:40 Oh, my goodness. That's a good point. By the time Delilah betrayed him, Samson didn't even realize the spirit of the Lord had left him. You know, you can be flowing and then you won't even know that you're not sensitive to the Holy Ghost anymore. Right. Same way with Samson. You have to read the story. Samson said, I went. I went every time. I win every time until he didn't win. He didn't win that one time. And that was probably when he got his eyes poked out. So when he didn't win, it was like, oh, that wasn't a good look for him.

10:22 And it's not going to be a good look for you. So it weakens you. You lose your spiritual sensitivity. Oh, let's keep going. Number three, consequences are inedible. So it coming. for you. Although God restored Samson's strength at the end of his life, the consequences of his action led to a captivity and death. We talked about that in the other earlier episodes, that even though God will rescue you, he will save you, there always are consequences to your actions. Yeah, he forgave you, but there's some consequences to your actions.

11:02 So it weakens us. It says, Samson's story shows us the danger of taking God's grace for granted. Compromise weakens you. You lose spiritual sensitivity. You don't ever want to lose your spirit sensitivity. It's pretty much the Holy Ghost has left the room. It has left the building. The building is your spirit. It's gone. And what do you need to survive? You need to be aware. You need discernment. You need spiritual sensitivity. Because the devil is out there acting. and say he acts as a roaring lion, you don't know if he's faking or not. Without the Holy Spirit sensitivity, you will lose that fight because you're playing games.

11:48 Number three, consequences. Oh my gosh. Yeah, Samson was young. He didn't die old. He died young because he was playing games. God let him win, but he died young, playing games. Let's go to Romans 6, 1 through 2. I know this is serious. It's a serious tone because people get caught up thinking that you can, because I'm a Christian, because I read my Bible, that I can go out and play these games with God, that I will always win. We see here that Samson thought the same thing, but he lost that fight.

12:31 He got caught up with the, he really opened doors because he was winning, but God gave him a way of escape, but he didn't escape. He's still playing with Delilah until he lost his spiritual sensitivity, and then he lost his life. Romans 6 says, what should we say then? Should we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means, we are those who have died to sin. How can we live in it any longer? Oh my gosh, I'm gonna read that again. Romans 6 verses one through two, it says, what should we say then? Should we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means, we are those who have died to sin.

13:14 How can we live in it any longer? Like once you've been delivered from it, let it go. God's grace is not a license to sin. It is an invitation to live a life that honors him. Can I get an amen? So once you've been delivered, don't play on that testing ground of grace. Because we see the light, not the light, we see here that Samson, I don't know what he was thinking, but he played the game and he lost. He lost. God made him look good at the end. but he's still lost. How do we do that today? How does that Samson Bible time?

13:58 How do modern ways that we misuse God's grace? Misusing grace isn't just an ancient problem. It's something we see every day. Number one, living without accountability, thinking God will forgive me anyway and continue in harmful behaviors. I was just thinking, you know, there was a pastor that says, if I did sin, God will forgive me. Like you go into it intentionally sinning, knowing that God will forgive you. What did I just read? What should we say then? Should we go on sinning that grace may increase?

14:41 By no means are those, we are those who died to sin. How can we live in it any longer? So we live without accountability, thinking God will forgive me anyway and continue in harmful behaviors. Like we saw Samson died early. You lose, what do you lose? You lose your spiritual sensitivity. Wow, neglecting our calling, ignoring the gifts and purposes God has placed in our lives. So if we are living without accountability, we're not really thinking about what God calls us to do because we're on the wrong side of the track.

15:22 We're on the enemy side. You think he's going to remind you about your gifts and calling? The Holy Ghost will. But if your spiritual sensitivity is getting numb, then you're going to die with all those gifts and calling and all the gifts and callings and all the people that you're supposed to bless are going to miss out on that. So we're going to collect our gifts and callings. And number three, using grace as a cover for pride, believing we're above correction because of our status in the church or community. Like I said, that was from a pastor of great status. Well, I don't know if he's still great status now, but just because you're on the pulpit, I guess because you get to, I call it, get the mic and say a few words, you are still held at a higher level of accountability.

16:10 And, you know, and you're held at a higher level, you're apt to be like Samson and get struck down at a higher level. And it costs a little bit of embarrassment. So you don't want to live without accountability, right? Thinking God will forgive me anyway. So are you really on God's team? Are you just trying to figure out a way to get away with sin and still call yourself a Christian? Neglect your calling, just like Jonah running the other way. I know I'm called, but I'm not going to do all the things I'm required to do. And using grace as a cover for pride. Do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh. Rather, serve one another humbly in love.

16:55 Galatians 5.13. Grace is meant to free us to serve, not to indulge in selfish desire. So once you get free, day free. So how do we honor God's grace? That's kind of a serious tone. And let's kind of, well, I can't lighten it up because this is God, and you saw that if you heard the introduction, he's serious. He wants you to get serious about him. And it says the games we play with God, this is what this is about. And it's for the next 60 days so we can get our act together, our acts together.

17:39 So how do you honor God's grace? How do we stop playing this game of misusing God's grace? I remember it comes through the preacher first. So it's not just me just barking up the tree. It's like coming right through me so that some things that I need to get straight. And so if he's talking to me, then I'm talking to you. Amen. I love that he gives you what he doesn't like, but then he tells you how to get it right. I love it. It tells you what you don't like and tells you how to get it right. Number one, recognize grace as a gift. Ephesians 2.8, for it is by grace that you have been saved through faith.

18:24 And this is not from yourself. It is a gift of God. Remember that grace is unearned and undeserved, given freely out of God's love. So God loves you. He wants you to get it right. So he gives you grace to give you that space, that cushion to get it right. And so we've been saved by grace through faith. It's a gift of God, right? And so recognize grace as a gift. Number two, Titus 2, 11 through 12 says, For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

19:04 It teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions. So live in obedience. Grace empowers us to live holy lives, not to take shortcuts. So instead of using grace to take a shortcut, let it empower you to live in obedience. Let it empower you to say no to ungodliness and no to worldly passions. Amen. Let it teach you. Let it guide you to obedience, not a way to skip out on obedience like Jonah did. You know, not like Samson did and other people in the Bible.

19:52 And number three, use your gifts for God's glory. 1 Peter 4.10 says, each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. Dedicate your time, talents, and treasures to honor God and to serve others. Amen. And so how do you stop playing games and misusing God's grace? You recognize grace as a gift, Ephesians 2.8. You live in obedience. You can say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, Titus 2.11-12.

20:36 And number three, use your gifts for God's glory. 1 Peter 4, 10. Be a steward of God's grace. Mmm, so good. So let's decree it. Let's get it stirred up on the inside of us so that we can do it right, get it tight. Let's go. I decree that I will honor God's grace by living a life of obedience and surrender. I decree that I will use my gifts and talents for God's glory and the good of others.

21:19 I decree that I will walk in humility, recognizing that God's grace is a gift and not a license to sin. Check, check. So what are we going to do this week? Excuse me. This week, reflect on how you're responding to God's grace. Ask yourself, am I using God's gifts and grace in a way that honors him? What areas of my life needs realignment with God's purpose? One thing I would do and I would say read, I would go ahead and read Jonah if you got a chance, but also read Samson.

22:01 Go ahead and read the story of Samson. I'm trying to find Judges 16, read the story of Samson. And don't rush through and read it. Read it like happening in real life. Like, this is what he did. You know, he just went out looking for trouble, and he got exactly what he wanted. There's always this little space in between that God gave him to repent. If you read it and you look how God always said he'll make a way of escape, he leaves the space. For him to like repent and get, first of all, give it to Delilah.

22:42 But he doesn't. He enjoyed the games with this lady. And this lady became the death of him. And so we have to be careful when God gives you that space to get it right. Get it right. Get it tight. Amen. And so, and also dedicate one day this week to fasting and prayer. Asking God to reveal any area where you may be misusing his grace. Commit to aligning your action with his will. You know, soon as you, I don't know how God works in your life, but when you get ready to like repent, as soon as you hit that floor, that ground, wherever you're praying at, he's going to go right to you and say, this is what I need you to stop doing.

23:26 And if asking one day might be, before you even start fasting, He's going to boom, just tell you exactly what you need to stop doing. Then the rest is up to you. Now you fast and say, how do I do it? Because he's waiting for your response of obedience. So let's close out with prayer. Heavenly Father, thank you for your incredible grace that saves, sustains, and empowers us. Forgive us for the times we've taken your grace for granted Or use it for our own purposes Teach us to talk, to walk, I'm sorry, to walk in obedience Humility and purpose, Honoring you with every part of our lives In Jesus' name, amen, Wow, that was really good Thank you, Lord Thank you for joining me on this episode The games we play with God, If today's episode Encourage you Share with a friend And subscribe So you don't miss The next episode Where we're Where we're going to Talk about Game number nine Trusting in worldly strength Until next time Stay humble Stay grateful Stay fasted up And be blessed.