Consequences Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: "Consequences" ------------- Date: 10/09/1998 Keywords: "secret" "fooled" "consequences" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. The story of Samson (Judges 13-16) depicts the tragedy that can result from giving in to lust. Let us see what we can learn from his experience. Passage: Judges 16:17-21 * 17 So he told her all that was in his heart and said to her, "A razor has never come on my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother's womb. If I am shaved, then my strength will leave me and I will become weak and be like any other man." 18 When Delilah saw that he had told her all that was in his heart, she sent and called the lords of the Philistines, saying, "Come up once more, for he has told me all that is in his heart." Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hands. 19 She made him sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his hair. Then she began to afflict him, and his strength left him. 20 She said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" And he awoke from his sleep and said, "I will go out as at other times and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him. 21 Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison. Questions 1. Why on earth would Samson tell Delilah his secret?   2. Was sleeping one more time with her worth the loss of his freedom and eyesight? Or was he fooled by his lust for her and his ability to win his past battles without God's help?   3. What is the "worst case scenario" for you; that is, what are the worst things that could possibly happen to you if you continue to view Internet pornography?   4. Besides "the grace of God," what else prevents these scenarios from coming true in your life?   Practical help According to verse 20, Samson "did not know that the LORD had departed from him." He was so distracted by his own strength and Delilah's allure that he did not notice God withdrawing His blessing and assistance.   The second best way to avoid continuing in your sin is to stop and think about the consequences of your behavior. The next time you are tempted to view Internet pornography, think about Samson, and what it would be like if you were blinded and jailed as a result of your addiction to Internet pornography. (For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?- Hebrews 2:2-3a) For Tomorrow We will discuss the BEST way to avoid continuing in your sin. Write down some "best case scenarios" for what you might be able to accomplish if you replace the pursuit of Internet pornography with the pursuit of God. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1998 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."