Subdued by the Spirit of Delilah

We must NOT be ignorant of the enemy's devices.  He does not prey only on our weaknesses but also our strengths.

"After this it came about that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. The lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, "Entice him, and see where his great strength lies and how we may overpower him that we may bind him to afflict him. Then we will each give you eleven hundred pieces of silver." So Delilah said to Samson, "Please tell me where your great strength is and how you may be bound to afflict you."…(Judges 16:4-6) NASB

The New International version says it like this: "See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and SUBDUE him. (v.5 emphasis added)



Webster Revised Unabridged Dictionary defines "subdue" as:

1. to bring under; to conquer by force of the exertion of superior power, and bring into permanent subjection; to reduce under dominion; to vanquish.
2. to overpower so as to disable from further resistance; to crush.
3. to destroy the force of; to overcome
4. to render submissive; to bring under command to reduce to mildness or obedience; to tame

The word "bound" and "subdue" in Hebrew is 'acar (Strong's H631)  -- to tie, bind, imprison...

The following message follows Slaves in the Promised Land (please read to understand this part of the message that the LORD revealed).

The Spirit of Delilah has seduced America as well as some Christians - enticing them to reveal their strengths in order to overpower, and subdue so as to afflict and bound them.  

"She made him sleep on her knees, and she called for a man and shaved off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. 

"He awoke from his sleep and said "I'll get out this time, just as I shook myself loose before." But he didn't know that Adonai had left him.  So the Philishtim (Philistine) seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to A'zah.  There they bound him with two bronze chains and put him to work grinding grain at the mill in the prison. (v.19-21 CJB emphasis added)

Sampson was enslaved in his promised land where he judged for 20 years.  He was bound with chains and imprisoned because he fell asleep - confident of his own strength, he thought he was able to shake himself loose but God had left him.  

America's great strength was dependent upon God until it fell prey to the seduction of money and power.  

Like Adam and Eve, it ate what the enemy offered because the desire for power was greater than for God.  Therefore it took the bait.  America was lulled to sleep as well as many professing Christians, gradually taking the strength of America and what we call "the Church".  

America became weakened when they....

1. removed bible and prayers from school
2. removed the Ten Commandments from government buildings
3. removed the name of God from patriotic songs and oaths
4. removed every spiritual significance to God (holidays)
5. passed laws that are contrary to the will of God (gay marriages, abortions,)
6. restrict the people of their freedom of speech and religion
7. removed God and appointed themselves to His position

The "church" became weakened when they.....

1. compromised themselves in order to make a name for themselves
2. desired money and power more than God
3. allowed entertainment - transforming the altar into a stage
4. built empires instead of building disciples 
5. fed the people's flesh instead of the spirit
6. lulled the sheep to sleep with stories instead of awakening them through the pure unadulterated Word of God.
7. caused division: gossip, competition, envy and jealousy
8. desired titles and positions of prominence instead of serving humbly
9. removed God from their agenda to implement their activities

Unfortunately political correctness stands above God's Word.  Where once we stood strong, now we are divided and have been weakened both America and the "Church".

We've thrown God's word behind our backs - persecuting those who God sends to warn and call back America and the Church back to Him (Nehemiah 9:26).  

America's National Anthem proclaims that we are the land of the free and the home of the brave.  Yet, gradually we are being stripped of our freedom of speech, and religion.  "So here we are today, slaves.  yes in the land you gave our ancestors, so that they could eat what it produces, and enjoy its good -- here we are in it as slaves." Nehemiah 9:36 CJB

Last stanza of the National Anthem:

O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation.

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Part 3 to this message will follow soon.  There is more that the LORD has given.  

God bless.....