It’s Not What It Looks Like: A Samson & Delilah Story With a Twist

A screenshot of screen saver. So timely.

Ah, Valentine’s Day. The day of love, roses, and extremely overpriced chocolates. While most people are flipping through romantic Bible verses about love and marriage, I, on the other hand, found myself parked in the book of Judges, revisiting the not-so-romantic tale of Samson and Delilah. Ironic? Maybe. But stick with me—this one hits different.

When Strong Cities Become Strongholds

Samson pulled up to Gaza—a name that literally means "strong city." In modern-day translation, let’s just call it a stronghold. And yet, despite stepping right into enemy territory, Samson wasn’t on high alert. Why? Because he assumed that since he walked with God, no enemy could take him down. Sound familiar? Sometimes, we stroll into dangerous situations, assuming our past victories guarantee future safety, forgetting that discernment is still required.

Samson wasn’t caught off guard by the warriors or the chaos; he had seen and conquered those before. But Delilah? Oh, she was different. She wasn’t a sword-wielding soldier. She was soft, delicate, and catered to his desires. She gaslit him so smoothly that he didn’t even catch a whiff of what was happening. And this right here is the part where most of us get played—it’s not the obvious attacks that take us out. It’s the subtle ones. The ones wrapped in comfort, familiarity, and false safety.

Lust Will Disarm Your Discernment

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Lust dulls discernment. And before you roll your eyes, no, I’m not just talking about the kind that makes people text their exes at midnight.

I’m talking about the broader definition of lust that 1 John 2:16 breaks down:

• Lust of the flesh – Living by your senses instead of God’s will.

• Lust of the eyes – Wanting what looks good instead of what is good.

• Pride of life – The self-sufficient spirit that says, "I got this."

Samson's downfall wasn’t just that he liked beautiful women. It was that he craved what he wanted, when he wanted, how he wanted—without questioning whether it was in alignment with God.

Delilah provided a false sense of security, so he dropped his guard. How many times do we do this? We get so used to God’s grace that we assume it will cover us, even when we are clearly breaching our vows to Him.

When the Source Leaves the Scene

The scariest part of Samson’s story isn’t that he lost his hair. It’s that he didn’t even realize the Lord had left him. (Judges 16:20)

Whew. Let that sink in.

The power he moved in wasn’t his own. It was conditional. And the moment he neglected the very thing that set him apart, God’s covering lifted. That’s the thing about calling—it’s not just about the gifts; it’s about the consecration. 

You can have all the anointing in the world, but if you trade in obedience for compromise, your strength will fade, too.

Prison Will Teach You What Comfort Never Could

When Samson lost his strength, he was thrown into prison. The man who once tore lions apart with his bare hands now had his eyes gouged out and was grinding grain like a slave. But here’s where things get interesting: his hair started growing back.

That means even in his lowest moment, God was still working. Samson couldn’t see it (literally), but the restoration process had already begun. How many of us are in seasons where we feel blind, stuck, and abandoned, not realizing that God is already rebuilding us from the inside out? It’s ugly, it’s painful, but it’s necessary.

Because God is not just interested in giving you strength—He wants you to have character to sustain it.

What If Samson Had Waited?

I often wonder what would have happened if Samson had surrendered fully. What if, instead of focusing on vengeance, he had repented and let God fully restore him? Could his story have ended differently? Maybe.

But one thing is clear: his biggest battle wasn’t external. It wasn’t the Philistines, the chains, or even Delilah. It was the internal war with lust, pride, and the need to prove himself.

And isn’t that the same battle we all fight?

Final Thoughts: Full Surrender Is the Real Flex

Samson’s story is a warning, but it’s also a lesson in grace. Because even in his lowest moment, God still used him. But here’s the takeaway: You don’t have to lose everything to learn obedience. You don’t have to be blinded before you see the truth. You don’t have to hit rock bottom before you surrender. You can choose now to stop assuming and start discerning.

So this Valentine’s Day, while others are choosing chocolates and flowers, maybe choose something different—choose full surrender.

Because trust me, when you’re truly in alignment with God, it’s not what it looks like.