FAITH CAPSULE: A dislike for instruction is the evidence of hating knowledge.

Daniel 16    
 
When Angel of the Lord appeared to the mother of Samson he gave instructions, “…Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean. For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” (Daniel 13:3-5) As a Nazarite Samson was not to cut his hair which was the source of his power. He was set apart from birth for his divinely appointed mission, but his dislike for full compliance with instructions is evidence of disobedience. Samson was to be a Nazarite, but violated all stipulations of a Nazarite-among which was not to cut his hair. Samson because of what he liked, he did what God disliked when he revealed the secret of God upon his life to Delilah. The Bible recorded, “…he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and every one of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver.” So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me where your great strength lies, and with what you may be bound to afflict you.”” (Judges 16:4 -6) Samson’s infatuation with Delilah led him to his disobedience. What is it that is leading you to disobey God?
After Delilah had successfully shaved off Samson’s hair (which resulted in him losing his strength), she called the Philistines on him, “…So he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him. Then the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze fetters, and he became a grinder in the prison.” (Judges 16:20-21) After Samson’s actions demonstrated his dislike for applying instruction, the Lord departed from him. There are so many back doors that are available for the enemy to come into us. However, none of it is open until sin takes residence in our lives. With sin, we become vulnerable to the enemy; our back doors become open for the enemy, thus making us vulnerable to him. The Bible makes it clear that, “Evil pursues sinners…” (Proverbs 13:21) It does not matter how diligently you seek God, do not dislike God’s instruction. A dislike for instruction is the evidence of hating knowledge.
 
Prayer for today: Ask for the grace to keep you from disobeying God’s word.