April 21, 2011 with 8 Comments

321.

The Blinding Power of Love

I’m reading through the book of Judges and just got to Samson.

Hardly anyone in all of the Bible depresses me like Samson does.

Here’s this guy with all the potential in the world, and he throws it out the window for love.

Love is blinding.

I didn’t say Love is blind. I said love is blinding. It all starts with whatever it is you are looking at.

In Judges 14:1-2 it says that Samson went and saw. And again in Judges 16:1 we are told that he went and saw a prostitute. What his eyes were fixed on would become the very focus of his existence, and eventually his death.

You don’t randomly fall in love. It all starts with whatever it is your eyes are fixed on. Then love becomes blinding. The story of Samson is a great tragedy. You read it unfolding with a sense of expected doom. How could one man be so dumb? Didn’t he see it coming? Delilah is so obvious in her wiles. Even I can tell what she’s up to. Add to it that Samson has already been there done that with his first wife in Judges 14 and 15.

Love is blinding.

You don’t set out planning to throw away your life for someone.

You don’t set out intending to give it all up for another person.

You don’t set out choosing to make dumb choices.

But the very one you love will dictate the choices you make – until it’s too late.

Love makes you say things you wouldn’t normally say. Like the secrets of your strength being tied to your hair.

Love makes you do things you wouldn’t normally do. Like lulling yourself to sleep in the lap of the enemy.

Love makes you choose things you wouldn’t normally choose. Like giving up your nation’s secrets to appease your lover.

Love is blinding. And the end is death for those who love the wrong thing.

But consider this: what if Samson had loved God more than he loved Delilah? Would his end have been different? What if Samson had fixed his eyes on God instead? What if Samson had gone to the house of God instead of the house of a prostitute? What if Samson had opened his eyes to God’s goodness and grace?

What if Samson loved God more?

Love is blinding. It can bring death. Or it can bring life.

Who do you love most?

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  • Milo

    This is very sobering. He saw, he desired and he took. Beware of covetousness. We are to be alert and awake to the wiles of the evil one. Love God more than all. JESUS was right. Obedience is our job. Thanks again Lina. Be sober, be vigilant…..

  • Gina Nechi

    I Love,love,love this one Dr.and Milo said it nicely too!

  • Wilma

    Or, what if Samson (we) had recognized that God loved him (us) first and loved him (us) best, would he (we) have made the same choices?

    Lucky for us Our God is a God of second chances; He still loves us first and best.

    • Lina

      Wilma – the tragedy with samson is that he knew and he refused. Go back and trace the story and you will see how many times again and again God showed his grace and love for this man, but samson was intent on sinning. But you are right, God is a God of grace and forgiveness, because Samson ends on a sad but good note – in the pit of his despair he turns again to God and God still uses him!

      God is so good to us. Thats why we love him so.

  • ramy

    wish there was more love from those ‘loved ones’ coming my way…blinding or not i’ll take it all!

    • Milo

      Try loving God first and see if He will not pour out on you love in abundance. The truth is you are loved and fail to recognize it. The condition of the heart is the key.

  • Sophie Neri

    Great post Lina!! This can apply to so many things other than human relationships, anything we love more than God can lead us to our spiritual death. Samson’s life is an excellent example of what can happen when we become fixated on the wrong thing.

  • Melissa

    Great post Lina.Keep it coming.#HarvestRocks