“Influential Power” (Profile):*
A person’s greatest accomplishment may well be helping others accomplish great things. Likewise, a person’s greatest influence may be preventing others from achieving greatness.
Yesterday we looked at the profile of Samson. Dedicated to God from birth as a Nazarite and known for his feats of strength, Samson also violated his vow and God’s laws on many occasions. Being controlled by sensuality and confiding in the wrong people certainly aided in his downfall.
Delilah played a role in Samson’s life, and her effect was devastating. She influenced him to betray his special calling from God. Motivated by greed, Delilah used her persistence to wear down Samson. His infatuation with her made Samson a vulnerable target.
For all his physical strength, he was no match for her, and he paid a great price for giving in to her. Delilah’s unfaithfulness to Samson brought ruin to him and her people. Interestingly, she is never mentioned again in the Bible.
Are people helped by knowing you? Do they find that knowing you challenges them to be the best they can be? What do your demands for their time and attention tell them about your real interest in them? God wants us to have relationships and created us with that need. But we must be wise in our selection of friends for they either add value to our lives or take it away. The same is true with our attitude and actions toward them. Are we helping or hurting?
Trustworthiness is a two-way street. We must be careful to place our trust only in trustworthy people, but also live our lives others can put their trust in. What value can you add to a friend’s life today?
Pastor Carnes
- Profile of Delilah – NIV Life Application Bible in Book of Judges
