How Truth Will Set You Free and Lies Imprison You
“And the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. And he ground at the mill in the prison. But the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaved” Judges 16: 21, 22.
This chapter recounts Samson’s foolish dalliance with a prostitute in Gaza, his subsequent betrayal by Delilah, and the tragic loss of his divine strength. Despite his miraculous escape in Gaza, his moral compromises ultimately leave him exposed and imprisoned.
To read the passage for context, click here.
Although I believe this is a true story that actually happened, I want to look at it from a figurative perspective for a minute.
How Samson Got Bound and Truth Will Set You Free
The reason Samson was bound and imprisoned after his eyes were gouged out is because he couldn’t see the truth, or reality. “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” John 8: 32.
He didn’t know the truth because he couldn’t see it. And that’s why he lost his freedom. To know the truth is to see, to have your eyes open, to see reality, or be wise. So, you could also read John 8: 32 as You will be wise and wisdom will set you free.
But foolishness leads to bondage, as we see in this passage. This is the progression:
Yield to Sin> Become Blind (no longer see the truth or reality)> Become Enslaved and Imprisoned by Sin> Destruction.
The moral of this story is when you no longer see the truth or reality, you lose your freedom. And are ultimately destroyed.
To read another post related to How Truth Will Set You Free, and Lies Imprison You, see The Power of Prayer to Move the Heart of God.