4 Christian Relationship Lessons from the Life of Samson (Judges 13-16)

Christian relationship lessons are found throughout the Bible. Through studying the life of Samson, we can discover at least 4 Christians relationship lessons that can help you in your season of Christian singleness.
(Article) 4 Christian Relationship Lesson from the Life of Samson applygodsword.com/4-christian-...
FREE eBook: The Ultimate Guide to Christian Singleness: applygodsword.com/christian-si...
BOOKS and BIBLE STUDIES, by Mark Ballenger:
(ON SALE) The One: How to Know and Trust God’s Sovereign Plan for Your Future Marriage www.amazon.com/One-Trust-Sove...
The Ultimate Guide to Christian Singleness www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Guide...
Intertwined: Our Happiness Is Tied to God’s Glory www.amazon.com/Intertwined-Ha...
Redeemed Like David: How to Overcome Sexual Temptation www.amazon.com/Redeemed-Like-...
Never Quit: A 5 Week Small Group Bible Study on the Power of Prayer www.amazon.com/dp/1979772673/
Basic Transformation: A Small Group Bible Study on the Basics of Christianity and Transformation www.amazon.com/dp/197959063X/
CONTACT and Social Media Info:
Instagram: / markballengeragw
Facebook: / applygodsword
Twitter: / apply_godsword
Email: [e-mail]
Website: applygodsword.com/

[@maya000777]

"Don't give your heart away to someone who hasn't given his/her heart to God!" Wonderful message from the life of Samson! Thanks for this one!

[@JustKate43]

maya000777 Amen, Amen! Loved this message Mark! Have a blessed day. 💞

[@davidthomspson9771]

Never risk your future on someone who won't be there in the future.

[@thinkforyourselfjohn3163]

Samson followed his heart it's deceitful. Wise words Mark. Gaurd your heart💗. And don't be unequally yoked it's a recipe for disaster. Love watching you. Thank you outstanding study.💒

[@pinkfuschia8140]

Brilliant explanation. Samson picked women according to his visual desire and not spiritual desire. We can all be fooled. I was made to read something about Samson and the women in his life by my first husband that was a really bad twist on scripture from the cult he was in. It said that the Bible 'singled out women for counsel against weeping and nagging' just because the women in Samson's life used tears and emotions to get their own way. It was from Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and was called "Making Your Family Life Happy" (1978). You have made it clear here though that the problem with Samson was that he chose to be with women that had bad motives and that were not godly. Men have also used those tactics in the bible, eg 2 Samuel 13 when Amnon used emotion to get his own way with David and Tamar. It's all about choice of relationships whether we are male or female and also giving way to emotional blackmail or even getting involved with those sorts of people. It is so important to seek God first. It was really hard to try and lift my husband out of what he was in and it was upsetting to see it causing him so much depression. Even though I thought we both had biblical values, we clearly had different interpretation. When I cried I was made to read this and was likened to those women, hence I had to learn to never cry as it was seen as a sin that all women are prone to. Now I'm back to Christ I had healing and after many years of never crying in public, even at a funeral, when Holy Spirit healed me the tears just flowed. I realize that I don't choose good relationships, having gone from a very domineering but devoutly religious Jehovah's Witness husband that passed away, to later marrying a very laid back Christian who rarely went to church or read the bible and didn't stick to his principles he said he had and is now with someone else. I know I should have found the right church before ever thinking about getting into a relationship. Jesus is my owner first and foremost and in Him there is my sanctuary. Even among those that seem to believe or follow the Bible, be sure that you are evenly yoked and find your faith first or it's a recipe for turmoil.

[@valianttruth3745]

Wow. You have quite a story there. I wish you the best. God bless!

[@ririsrumintan465]

Your preach is absolutely true. That's what I was doing before. Just follow my heart, my emotion, so stupid, stupid and stupid I am. Have a relationship with unbeliever so wasting time. So blind and end up with broke up over and over. Now, I repent and try to patient check the guy is he love God or no. Thanks Mark !

[@The4Tifier]

I gotta say; your production value has really amped up! Your videos look a lot more naturally lit and high quality! Keep it up 🙂

[@ApplyGodsWordcomMarkBallenger]

Thanks for noticing, I just upgraded my camera and some other gear :)

[@merlinsvdd]

Great advice from you, Mark in this video. Got one question, since I have gotten over this guy that I did wrong to, I believe our friendship is healed by my prayer intention to St Anne too, I am free from idolizing him too. I just fear how I would react to him coz have not seen him for a long time coz of work. I might see him at our youth talent night this Saturday. What do I do, if I see him there? Have this fear of committing same sin but at the same time, I am confident because of the group and am interested to participate in the talent night too.

[@merlinsvdd]

Plus, taking your advice, pursue God and you will resist that sin. Just wondering, if he stays away from me, I shouldn't feel slighted, right? I should just ignore him the entire time, right?

[@dr_lala5908]

Mark, your videos are such a blessing - thank you. I have been watching all the way from Southern Africa. You are doing a great job. Praise be to God.

[@Magnate432]

but if you look at Judges 14:4 it says it was of the Lord, not saying going after all unsaved people are of God but in this instance God had a plan for this relationship.

[@jacobreyes620]

Timing of me finding this is absolutely insane. Praise

[@TDS23654]

what an eye-opener!! I've been relying on my strength rather than the Lord. thanks for making me see the reality. Praise the Lord!

[@migdaliamojica7123]

Amen, this is for the message of Samson. I thanks God for using you as then vessel to conform what I've been saying all this time spiritually. God bless you👍

[@MarlaCalandra]

Great message Mark!

[@alliyahdabo7615]

Watch "SAMSON" on NETFLIX. It's a really good movie

[@emmanuelking9988]

Thank you for this video 👍 A video from a year ago, just appeared on my feed...God's perfect timing 🙏👌

[@heliaalves9062]

Omg! That's exactly what I've done! What an eye-opening video. Thank you.

[@lynyu5673]

The last part. I really want to be a part of body of christ. I am praying that God will find us a Church by his choose so my family will grow spiritually with God. I want to help people but I dont know how. I want to join like a mission who feeds people that not able to feed themselves because of the lack of financial but I am not working I am a housewife and just looking after my son. Lord you know the desire of heart. Use me Lord to do good into your kingdom.

[@sophielove1787]

Thanks, thank you, I really needed this

[@deejohnson2222]

Thanks for the understanding of not giving your heart away to someone who does not love God.

[@EvelynluvBella]

Amen! Mark, you always give an anointed Word! Thank you!

[@marshachesbro5969]

Haven't found a man yet that loves Jesus like I do. So I'm alone. Isn't being a Christian wonderful ???

[@lisacutsinger7367]

Wow! That last point! 🤯

[@sarachristian1437]

NO BINKY BABY HERE, WE CRY "ABBA"

[@greeksalad4783]

"How to not ruin your life through relationships like Samson." Too late. Been there. Done that. Regret it. :(

[@badpiggy2403]

Stay strong, things can get better

[@eileenfriel5461]

Thank you Jesus

[@filipinascahulogan8313]

Thank you Brother Mark, it is amazing to follow God's divine instructions and listening the Counsel of God.... This is Sis. Phines working here in UAE...

[@marklawrimore9531]

Could you do a video about what Christians should do in situations when co-workers talk about their family members living in sin? I know a lady at work who talks about her son being openly gay and is about to marry his partner. She knows I am a Christian and she is too. However, I say very little when she brings up that subject. (These discussions are not on company time...they occur when we have lunch together with other colleagues)

[@lohidedaniel2951]

Many thanks for the video,the message is so helpful

[@vanessamack7844]

God bless you! This was a very insightful video. Thanks for sharing!

[@trishg8852]

Excellent teaching!

[@LoveBeyondTheSea]

Excellent video!

[@Brenoskywalker77]

Thanks for the video Mark it was awesome, can you do a video in the future about how should a Christian deal with politics(in a neutral way of course)?? Should we pick sides, should we care about this to a certain point when looking for a spouse??, i´m having trouble imagining our place in it. For the time being, i´m focusing more on Christ and therefore helping others, because I think no matter what we do, every political scenario is converging to the rise of the antichrist (after all, it is biblical) and everything that comes with it, but I would like to know your opinion, thank you very much!!!

[@ApplyGodsWordcomMarkBallenger]

Great idea Breno Santos, I'll see what I can do :)

[@Brenoskywalker77]

Thank you so much, keep up the excellent work!!

[@pinkfuschia8140]

That would be so cool! My friends have just fallen out over politics and it is so sad as they were best friends for years. I was married to someone who got punished by the cult he was in because he led a political campaign to save the environment (Friends of the Earth) and also to support Greenpeace (who are anti-nuclear weapons). He had to prove repentance by attending meetings where no one was allowed to speak to him for an unknown time period. I had a job putting people on the electoral roll and sending out their poll cards and counting votes in elections etc and was told I ought not to be doing that job by him and his family as it was 'worldly affairs'. Interesting subject!

[@Brenoskywalker77]

Pink Fuschia+ I know what you mean, I saw many people fighting over politics, sometimes i´m not sure what is the role of the christian in all of this, sometimes I think Jesus wants us to just care about bringing ppl to him and sharing the golpel, in other times I think we are suppose to take a stand in politics against ppl who don´t like Christianism, but i´m really not sure what is the role of the christian in all of this

[@pinkfuschia8140]

@@Brenoskywalker77 I always think of Romans 13 when I think of governments. We have to go in subjection to them, yet some are not good ones. But the structure is God's idea and it says he put them in place. So I started voting again. I have strong views on women's rights as I experienced a lot of harassment at work when I was a teenager and then an assault. I campaigned against pornography at 17 and the government changed the law on retailers rights to refuse sale of it in their shops. When I watched the film Suffragette I realised why they fought for their vote. After years of indoctrination in my husband's cult and not voting, I started voting again. I'm also in a Trade Union which protects my rights at work. In my country unions had no power until about the 80s when there was a political movement. So I think Christians should vote but pray beforehand.

[@lisagarcia8349]

Love this! Thank you for sharing this message! We all need to hear it and also need the reminder even when we know better! Blessings~💕

[@jermainelong1843]

Good teaching. God bless you man.

[@noahbigley]

Thank you for this word, brother!

[@JenNaturallyHypp]

This was awesome 👏🏾 thank you!

[@ApplyGodsWordcomMarkBallenger]

So glad you found it helpful!

[@hollyharte7831]

I wondered when you might tackle this. Thsnk you! 👑✨️🙏

[@nikkinukka]

This video applies to all aspects of life. This message helped me understand that family is essential and God speaks thru them. This video message rings true for problems outside of romantic relationships. Thanks for the video.

[@ladennayoung2939]

You should listen to family members that are led by the spirit of God. The main point of this message is to pay attention to people's actions and motives.

[@kjenkins3939]

This was very informative. Thank you!

[@sinclairabondo9501]

On point.

[@ricabulletproof3560]

Good word ❤️

[@kellyrodgerscain1934]

thank you for sharing God's work with us

[@ApplyGodsWordcomMarkBallenger]

My pleasure!

[@Clauds71]

Awesome 👍🙏

[@heartrose4]

Amazing study, Mark! Hope you keep with the great job you are doing! ☺️

[@ApplyGodsWordcomMarkBallenger]

Thank you! I'm so glad you found this helpful! God bless!

[@heartrose4]

@@ApplyGodsWordcomMarkBallenger I have watched many of the videos you've produced and am always looking forward for the new one. Thank you for doing this. It helps me grow and, from the community, it looks like I'm not the only one. May God lead us all not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. God bless!

[@hildasampson]

So good!👌👌👌👌👌

[@angelahargro8033]

Amen!!

[@sdrchannel576]

Very insightful and necessary 👍

[@ApplyGodsWordcomMarkBallenger]

God bless!

[@rachelle_banks]

Hey Mr. Mark. I've been watching some of your videos for a few weeks. My favorite so far was what I watched prior to this one about Missing God's Will In Relationships. I LOVED the beginning because that Truth is so amazing to me and I do find that it's hard for people to "get" that. Good theology! Listening to this video though it stoid out that you did not mention a key verse that ties into God's will. Judges 14:4 states "But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the Lord, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel." That's HUGE in my opinion! It is a perspective shaker because then we have to challenge our inate belief that things (even things that work out great for us) are about US! But Sampson's life, like yours and mine, is principally and ultimately about The LORD's purpose and agenda. Yes, it was Sampson's heart that he followed. Yes, his parents were giving him solid advice based on what they knew to be best. BUT the Sampson's heart was meant to go the way it did because his heart (even Pharaoh's when the LORD hardened it) was in God's hand being inclined to what supported God's agenda- despite the method seeming counter intuitive to our logic. This is so amazing to me and I just didn't want that wonder of God to be left out. Thanks so much for these vids!

[@halocompton1668]

My hole life i had so much energy there times i feel. A ruch of strength

[@ApplyGodsWordcomMarkBallenger]

The joy of the Lord is our strength :)

[@halocompton1668]

@@ApplyGodsWordcomMarkBallenger Thank you

[@leo8505]

When I read this book, I kept seeing that the holy spirit came onto Samson and gave him the physical strength to defeat his enemies. When he killed the lion, when he killed the 1,000 soldiers, and when he brought down the pillars all was empowered by God. His attraction to the philistine woman even came from God. All was part of God's plan. Why dont you talk about that too? Samson wasnt entirely impulsive. God works mysteriously.

[@vanessamack7844]

leo8505 you’re right it was all a part of God’s plan. Which is why God chose Samson. He needed someone of Samson’s character to fulfill His plan against the Philistines (Judges 14:4)

[@ApplyGodsWordcomMarkBallenger]

God doesn't cause sin but he does use sin to accomplish his purpose. Just because God used Samson impulse and sin with women doesn't mean God caused those sins. I agree that God did some good through Samson and had a plan that included Samson's choices, but God always wants to obey even when he produces good through our disobedience. I have other videos on how God brings about good through bad by his sovereignty, so that's why I didn't cover that in this video. I covered multiple chapters in Judges so this video would have been 4 hours long if I tried to talk about everything I could have talked about

[@jonsmithh3827]

Exactly bro. Was thinking the same thing. He doesn't mention how God chose all this to happen, even if it meant Samson would be killed. God knows we wont have eternal life here, Samson did his God-given duties to destroy his enemies via Holy Spirit then departed. Thats not bad as he makes it sound... but it was God's purpose and its a good story on why men shouldn't live by women alone but God. God bless

[@angeliquep8391]

Listen to GODLY ADVICE(THAT'S ONLY WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE) ANYTHING ELSE IS A LIE!... I was a very prideful woman BECAUSE of my upbringing of not to depend on a man... since my spiritual journey I have learned to humble myself and ask for help and let help others help me but then all I hear is complaints afterwards and so then again I just choose not to depend on ANYONE because of the negativity

[@saffyesperas2278]

My schoolwork, I go to Leeward Community College and it's my last time there.

[@humbleheart72]

New subscriber here! God bless!

[@ApplyGodsWordcomMarkBallenger]

Welcome!

[@kellybrown6988]

But in Judges 14:4 it says " but his father and his mother knew not that it was of the Lord, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at the time the Philistines had dominion over Israel. Seemed liked it was God's will that Samson got with that Philistine woman, and all those times he fought with the Philistines the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon Samson, so God was with him when he got angry and killed all those men. So I guess it can go both ways

[@ropafadzosandrashoko4333]

Yup l also have this question...was all of this until Delilah but of God's plan

[@Jim_Curtis]

Thanks Mark for all you do. It's surprising to me that despite all of his shortcomings, Samson is mentioned in Hebrews 11:32. Do you have any thoughts on that?

[@ApplyGodsWordcomMarkBallenger]

I think God chooses very flawed people to show us it's by his grace. So even though Samson did a lot of wrong, he also did good through God's grace.

[@danahughes2239]

Too late... 😔

[@adriannealvord9023]

I have been a Christian for 2 years. I told my boyfriend I am saving it for marriage. It’s uncomfortable even just hanging out with him because of the attraction. So I avoid him most of the time. I want to get to know him but I feel stuck. What would you do?

[@littlellamblet]

If he loves God he will definitely understand.

[@MrNotyouraverageG]

I had warning but I didn't listen to it. now I'm thrown off and my wife is gone.

[@rachp5176]

Could somebody please give me some Godly advice? In a 9yr relationship with 4 children. Not married , i'm now saved partner isn't. Been through alot with him. Keep praying about this alot. Don't want to marry him as he's an unbeliever also don't want to be committing fornication. So confused .

[@Ddcfus4gs]

Redeemed Child I'm right there with you LOL, been with a girl 15 years off and on. 3 kids, not married. she's not saved. We are as different as night and day, and she has no desire in becoming Christian. I've been asking God what to do, but he already told me 7 months ago and I didn't listen. Now it's five times harder doing what I know that i have to do.

[@raya5549]

Mark, can I ask what can you say or how can we explain the Judge 14:4?

[@ApplyGodsWordcomMarkBallenger]

This relates: applygodsword.com/if-god-puts-everyone-with-the-one-why-do-divorces-happen/

[@PrasannaKumar-qg7me]

How to identify she is the one to marry💍

[@vaporousezebra5728]

What if u give your heart to an atheist before u was a Christian

[@badpiggy2403]

Try to bring them with you if you can

[@judy4139]

Samson followed women and died without Children and a family.He died without any children/legacy...

[@ngrobert5054]

We did try christian woman, but never succeeed

[@HumourTanki]

I don't know what to do. I just got a girlfriend yesterday but she isn't Christian. I want her to be though because I don't want her going to Hell or anything. But I'm not really sure how to go about it. I'm not sure if God wants me to break up with her or get me to help her. She is amazing so I don't really want her to not be a believer. What should I do?

[@ApplyGodsWordcomMarkBallenger]

This video on missionary dating may help you kzbin.info/www/bejne/poO9hGNnpbqsjpI

[@JvSaiyan]

I was in a two year relationship with an unbeliever, I treated her right, gave her my absolute best but she wasn’t for me, she was still dealing with her rough past, this relationship also took me away from God, I fell into sin by idolizing the relationship, idolizing her, and fornication. I did everything I could but it didn’t work because it wasn’t God’s will, I had to learn the hard way, save yourself the pain, time and tears and wait on The Lord. Delight yourself in his presence, pray and pursue him with everything you have, in time he will give you the desires of your heart, he will give you a woman of God, who together will worship him. Prepare yourself in singleness and be whole with the Lord. The fact that you’re unsure it’s a sign is not meant to be, I’ll be praying the Lord guides you, gives you strength and fill you with his wisdom and peace. God bless brother.

[@HumourTanki]

thanks and I don't really think there is someone out there for me. I'd just feel bad if we did break up because she's amazing.

[@Brenoskywalker77]

That video Mark suggested is really good, it helped me a lot

[@Brenoskywalker77]

She could be amazing, but if she is not the one God envisioned for you she is not really THE one, we don´t know what is best for us, but God does, don´t trust your heart, but trust in God, he will show you the way

[@sarachristian1437]

MARK, I DON'T THINK A GUY HAS "TIME" ENOUGH, FOR ME TO TELL HIM "ALL MY HEART", + I THINK HE'D FALL ASLEEP TRYING TO HEAR IT, TRUST ME! I HAVE PUT MANY PEOPLE TO SLEEP, JUST BY TALKING TO THEM ABOUT WHAT WAS IN MY HEART, (WELL I THINK "GOD" PUT THEM TO SLEEP,) THEREFORE THEY DIN'T GET TO HEAR IT ALL!! THAT'S BECAUSE GOD'S HEART IS "SO BIG", THAT HE FILLED MINE WITH "SO MUCH", THAT EITHER IT TIRES THEM OUT, OR GETS THEM LOST! BUT MAYBE IT WAS MEANT TO BE SO! BUT THAT'S PROBABLY WHY DELILAH IS A SIGN TO US! TO BE CAREFUL! SAMSON WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF IF HE TALKED DELILAH TO SLEEP!!!!

[@grandmaitregilberto2469]

I was Samson some 3170 years ago. My hair was ordinary and my force was in my muscles as every intelligent peoples have guessed. I was responsible of that lie and many other. I was born in Montréal in 1957. Nowaday Dallah's name is Priscilla, a singer born in 1952. I remember 10 of my precedent lives. I was also Ponce Pilate 2000 years ago. Tiberius made me kill by strangulation. Samson was drunk and is dead by a hit on his head with a big bat in Dalilah's bed. I met Leonardo DaVinci in his school, and I was travelling with Christoper Columbus sometime after 1500. I also was a chinese in 1200. You talk of a lot of things I don't remember of my life of Samson, maybe some were thrue or not, but it does not even matter. You better forget and get a life by yourself, and the more important is every religions are false, and there is no god, so do not loose your life with stupid things.

[@alivewell2920]

So you think its ok for him to marry his family members instead of a stranger in another city. SMH at the craziness of the BIBLE.

[@ririsrumintan465]

Your preach is absolutely true. That's what I was doing before. Just follow my heart, my emotion, so stupid, stupid and stupid I am. Have a relationship with unbeliever so wasting time. So blind and end up with broke up over and over. Now, I repent and try to patient check the guy is he love God or no. Thanks Mark !