June 28, 2023: In The Lap Of Delilah

"And 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 left him." (Judges 16:20, ESV)

Compromise is one of the greatest sins of our day. It is not new to followers of God. We are warned throughout the Word of God of compromise. James 4:4 is quite clear, "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." Samson was born to be a deliverer! Yet his compromise in the lap of Delilah, a Philistine, cost him his strength and ability to deliver a nation from captivity. 
    
One of the sad parts of comprise is that most who compromise do not know that the Lord has left. Ephesians 4:27-30 tells us not to give place to the devil nor to grieve the Holy Spirit. Why? When we give place to the devil, we compromise. When we give place to the devil, we grieve the Holy Spirit, and He withdraws from us. I don't believe He leaves us; he withdraws or pulls back. 

Let's get our heads out of the lap of compromise. Let's update our relationship with the Holy Spirit and live out of God's strength. In so doing, we are prepared to do every good work He sets before us!