Key Text: "And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol." Judges 13:25 KJV 

Samson was anointed right from his mother's womb, and he was used mightily of the Lord to deliver His people. However, he did not al-ways walk in the Spirit, so he was overpowered by the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh. Sometimes he would yield to the Spirit to do God's will and at other times the flesh would take control of his life. While walking in the flesh, Samson chose to take his wife from the uncircumcised, and later began to go out with prostitutes.

It is very sad to note that Samson began well in the Spirit but ended badly in the flesh. So, then they that are in the flesh cannot please God – Romans 8:8. As New Testament believers, we have the Spirit of Christ, but except we walk in the Spirit, we will be fulfilling the lust of the flesh. Although Samson knew the truth, he chose to disobey the Word of God. Contrary to God's Word, he loved the world and the things that are in the world.

All believers, like the rest of humanity are free moral agents, eventhough we have the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit will not force us to pray, read our Bible and obey God. It is our responsibility to refuse to give occasion to the flesh to dominate our lives. To enjoy freedom from worldly influences, we must practice the truth that the Lord gra-ciously reveals to us in His word. But if we refuse and rebel, we can-not escape the wrath of God.

Prayer: O Lord, I bring my body into subjection, let not the flesh have dominion over me, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Reflection: Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul - 1 Peter 2:11.