NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Samson the Trickster” A trickster is a person who cheats or deceives people. We are told before the birth of Samson that he would be a Nazarite. The angels of the Lord said to Samson’s mother “You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. (Judges 13:5) A Nazarite is an Israelite who was consecrated to the service of God, under vows to abstain from alcohol, let the hair grow, and avoid defilement by contact with dead bodies. “‘Throughout the period of their dedication to the LORD, the Nazirite must not go near a dead body.” (Numbers 6:6). Samson, however, disregarded Nazarite laws and came into contact with the carcass of a lion he had killed and scooped honey from it rendering him unclean before the Lord, we are told “he turned aside to look at the lion’s carcass, and in it he saw a swarm of bees and some honey. He scooped out the honey with his hands and ate as he went along. When he rejoined his parents, he gave them some, and they too ate it. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the lion’s carcass. (Judges 14:8-9) Samson became a trickster because apart from violating the Nazarite commandment, he deceived his parents by making them consume honey that is unclean. Samson had begun to live a wayward life, a life that is inconsistent with the will of God for his life.

Beloved in the Lord, in our relationship or covenant with God, all God requires from us is our faithfulness. We must not become complacent like Samson who abused the grace of God and the power of God at work in him. He forgot that he was appointed or chosen for a purpose and therefore must remain truthful and faithful to the Lord. Again, it is important not to lead others astray or cause others through deception to disobey God. It may come with dire consequences. Jesus warns us that “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea (Matthew 18:6). Let us not become tricksters by luring and deceiving other believers into disobeying God, being a trickster offends God greatly because our deception may cause a soul to backslide and miss his or her salvation. Dear friend, if you have backslidden and have become disobedient to God be careful not to lead others astray. Let us not impose uncleanliness and abomination onto others who desire or wish to be faithful to the Lord. Samson’s parents would never have taken the honey if they knew that he scooped it from the carcass of a lion. We live in a world where many believers are being deceived to do abominable acts against God. We have so-called men and women who purport to be God’s chosen and anointed servants yet they are tricksters peddling false teachings and misleading people about the Word of God, hence, drawing them further away from their salvation. Today, many are being deceived by so-called renowned or seasoned theologians or pastors that same-sex marriage is not a sin against God because it is also founded on love. People are being deceived through heretical doctrines and teaching to cause spiritual weaklings to sever their relationship with God. We are greatly admonished by James that “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. (James 4:17). A trickster knows the truth and that which is good yet decides to deceive others for his or her own purpose. Dear friend, it is a sin to know the truth but live the life of a trickster who deceives other people or leads them astray. If we find ourselves living a deceptive life or living the life of a trickster then we must repent and invite the Holy Spirit to strengthen us to live a transformed life to the glory of God. Paul invites us to completely offer our lives to God as living sacrifices devoid of any world influence “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2) Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, empower me not to live a deceptive life but“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Amen. ((PSALM 19:14)