The life of Samson is filled with powerful victories but ends in sad defeat.  How could one with so much power and so great a Godly heritage be so reckless? 

Samson was a gift from God to his parents.  Manoah and his wife were instructed to set Samson aside as a Nazarite.  His parents obeyed the Lord and they raised him in the nurture of their God. 

One of the first signs of Samson’s reckless behavior was his marriage to a Philistine woman.  The Philistines were idol worshippers.  In essence, Samson became unequally yoked.  If Samson could speak from heaven, he would warn any Christian who is tempted to go to the altar with an unsaved person.  Trouble, headaches, and heartbreak are not far behind.  This is reckless power. 

Samson though very gifted, abused his power, he slaughtered thirty Philistine men to repay a gambling debt.  Samson also burned the grain fields of the Philistines when he learned his wife had been given to his Philistine friend who attended his wedding.  Reckless power!!  How do you use your power?  How do you use your influence and your talents? 

Lastly, Samson toyed with his God given gift by hinting to Delilah the secret of his strength.  Someone has said, “sin will keep you longer than you wanted to stay and cost you more than you wanted to pay,” ask Samson. 

Don’t toy around sin with the gifts God has given you.  Don’t convince yourself that a little bit won’t hurt.  Many alcoholics and drug addicts started with just a little bit.  A little lie grows into a giant scandal.  Don’t be reckless with your power.  Instead be lead by the power (God’s Holy Spirit).