1. Life of Samson: #2 How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions Judges 14:1 01/20/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles

2. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions Introduction One of the things that differentiates a person who is a good steward of their time from those who waste their time is the matter of making godly decisions.

3. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions The more biblical we are in making daily decisions, the less time we’re going to waste. We need to develop good habits when it comes to making choices in our lives, because every choice comes with a set of consequences.

4. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions 1 Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2 When he returned, he said to his father and mother, "I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.” (Judges 14:1- 2, NIV)

5. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions 3 His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” (Judges 14:3, NIV)

6. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions  Was His Sin Excused By God? 4 (His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.) (Judges 14:4, NIV)

7. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions Some have interpreted this as God’s stamp of approval on Samson’s decisions.  However, I don’t think it is.  We must not assume that God approved of his choices.

8. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions God is Sovereign.  That means He will accomplish His purposes.  We must never assume that God excuses bad decisions!

9. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions  How to Make a Bad Decision (14:1-3). Samson Went to the Wrong Place (14:1a).  These were the very people from whom Samson was supposed to be delivering the Children of Israel.

10. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions 17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” (2 Cor 6:17, NIV)

11. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions  If we want to avoid making bad decisions, we should avoid the wrong places, but we ought to embrace right places. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2, NIV)

12. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions Samson Gave in to the Lust of His Eyes (14:1b-2).  There’s no question about what attracted Samson to this woman…it was her looks.

13. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions 16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. (1John 2:16, NIV)

14. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions  How many folks have violated God’s principles of stewardship because they gave in to the lust of the eyes?  Bad decisions are made when we give in to the lust of the eyes!

15. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions He Scorned the Counsel of Others (14:3).  Samson doing something that was strictly forbidden in the Scripture!

16. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions 3 Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, (Deut 7:3, NIV)

17. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions  You simply cannot violate the Word of God and expect God to bless your life! 15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. (Proverbs 12:15, NIV)

18. How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions Conclusion Samson...  He Went to the Wrong Place (v. 1a).  He Gave in to The Lust of His Eyes (v. 1b-2).  He Scorned the Counsel of Others (v. 3).

19. Life of Samson: #2 How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions Judges 14:1 01/20/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles