“… the boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth, …. The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samuel. He grew and the Lord blessed him, and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him ….” (Judges 13:5, 24-25 NIV).
There’s something captivating about Samson. He was chosen before birth, empowered with supernatural strength, and set apart for divine purpose. If ever there was a man marked by God’s favor, it was him. Yet, as we journey through Judges 13 to 16, we find a sobering truth: anointing or spiritual giftedness is not a guarantee of spiritual success. Samson had the oil, but not the obedience. He had the strength, but not the self-control. He was anointed, but he was not disciplined. He had supernatural strength but lacked spiritual discipline.
And that’s where many of us find ourselves today. We know we are called, chosen, and gifted. We feel the fire of God’s gifting in our lives. But if we are honest, some of us are battling compromise, unchecked desires, and a lack of spiritual discipline. Like Samson, some are strong in public but weak in private.
This is a call to us to examine the gap between our gifting and our growth. Because the truth is: what you fail to discipline will eventually destroy what you were anointed to do. God’s purpose will prevail, but our choices shape the journey. Beloved, do you have the oil? Work on your obedience. Do you have the strength? Work on your self-control- speech, response, emotion. Do you have the anointing? Check your desires and work on your spiritual discipline.
Rev. Moses Abayomi Sodeinde
