Concerning Our Company (Judges 14)
A Character Committed to Corrupting Company (Judges 14:1-4; Deuteronomy 7:3-4; Nehemiah 13:23-27; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1)
Samson was gifted. Among all the judges that God used to bring relief to His rebellious people only the son of Manoah was singled out as blessed by God (Judges 13:24). When the young man with long locks of hair was moved by the Spirit he was invincible and would perform wonders that loosened the oppressive hand of the Philistines on the people of Yahweh (Judges 13:5). But for all his giftedness and the greatness that was upon him, Samson would not willingly be the help he should have been, the liberator he could have been, or the agent of salvation that was so desperately needed. He was gifted. But he was also ailing with defects that would destroy him. What defects? Glad you asked.
Although blessed and gifted by God to help Israel, we see Samson incessantly seeking close companionship anywhere but among his brethren (Judges 16:1, 4). Against the express command of God he will marry an idolator (Deuteronomy 7:3-6; Malachi 2:11). (His closest companion at the wedding was one of his people’s oppressors and a person that was not committed to Yahweh.) The Lord was very clear:
3 Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. 4 For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the Lord will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly. (Deuteronomy 7:3-4, NKJV)
Samson Syndrome gives a man the false impression that he can handle himself in situations that God has said to avoid (Genesis 39:7-12; 1 Corinthians 6:18; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5). His heart defect produces in him strong delusions: (1) He is deserving of what he desires, (2) he is able to escape the consequences of keeping bad company, and (3) that a man will not reap what he sows. “I will partake of forbidden pleasures but will not experience the promised problems! Because… I am me.”
No matter what anyone says, Samson will be married to the Philistine woman. Why? Because she was right in his eyes (Judges 14:3). Translation: She was fine! Samson is not just any man. He is every man that does what is right in his own eyes.
When his parents protested his goal of settling down with the woman from Timnah he tells his father what to do and why. Do not miss it, friend. The son sent the father to do what what the son wanted. Why? Because she looked good to him. She was cute to him. She was hot to him. And he had to have her. That was all the reason that was needed. In his rude command and fallen reasoning the final tragedy of our hero is glimpsed. Do you see it? Samson, in the end, will be undone by his determination to be in love with a person who does not love God. He is gifted and should be able to break the yoke of the Philistines on his people. But he himself will not stop getting yoked to people who undermine his mission.
Have you made a decision to trust Christ? If you have there is greatness on you, my friend. You are gifted as well (Ephesians 1:13). You have the same Spirit that was on Samson. And God would use you to bring relief to others, deliverance to the oppressed, and the message of pardon and abundant life through Christ (John 10:10). But keeping company with people who are not committed to Christ will compromise your mission and limit your effectiveness in your calling.
Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” (1 Corinthians 15:33, NKJV)
Not liking how your life looks similar to Samson’s? Yeah, I don’t like that feeling either. What can we do? Keep good company. First with Christ and then with His people.
2026-02-28 Morning fellowship with Caleb, Mark, Victor, Tony, and others.
Small Group Questions
Our Company Reflects Our Mission
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- What kinds of people are you keeping company with right now? Do they help you walk with Christ or hinder you?
- Think about the statement: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” (1 Cor 15:33 referenced)
- How does your closest company influence your spiritual priorities?
- Samson was gifted by God yet compromised by his choice of companions. In what ways have you seen gifts in your life be undercut by poor relational decisions?
- Where might you be sabotaging your Kingdom effectiveness through ungodly company?
- What kinds of people are you keeping company with right now? Do they help you walk with Christ or hinder you?
Doing What Is “Right in Our Own Eyes”
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- Where are you currently doing “what is right in your own eyes” instead of obeying God’s clear commands?
- Samson insisted on his own way even when God’s law said otherwise. Consider areas in your life where you’re similarly stubborn.(On Purpose)
- Why is it so easy to assume that “I can handle this” or “this is different for me” — especially in areas where Scripture warns us otherwise?
- How have you rationalized choices that are contrary to God’s Word?
- Where are you currently doing “what is right in your own eyes” instead of obeying God’s clear commands?
The Nature of Compromise
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- What are some examples of “small compromises” in your life that might be quietly undermining your relationship with Christ?
- Samson’s attraction to the Philistine woman was not immediately catastrophic — yet it set the stage for deeper entanglement.(On Purpose)
- When you compromise spiritually, what do you lose first — your witness, your strength, your discernment, or something else?
- How do you guard against spiritual drift?(On Purpose)
- What are some examples of “small compromises” in your life that might be quietly undermining your relationship with Christ?
God’s Grace and Our Response
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- Even in Samson’s poor choices, God worked His purposes. How have you experienced God bringing good out of your mistakes?
- What does this teach you about God’s hesed (steadfast love) and His sovereignty?(On Purpose)
- How can we maintain humility and gratitude when God uses flawed people — including ourselves — to accomplish His will?
- What helps you stay aware that “God works through imperfect vessels”?(On Purpose)
- Even in Samson’s poor choices, God worked His purposes. How have you experienced God bringing good out of your mistakes?
Our Company and Our Calling
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- What is God calling you to be — and is the company you keep helping you become that man?
- In what specific ways might you need to realign your relationships this week?(On Purpose)
- Samson was meant to be a deliverer, yet he repeatedly chose pleasure over purpose early in life. How can you guard your heart so that your pleasure doesn’t derail your calling?
- Reflect on practical actions you can take: accountability, prayer rhythms, discipleship, etc.(On Purpose)
- What is God calling you to be — and is the company you keep helping you become that man?
Group or Prayer Time Prompts
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- Share one relationship that has helped you grow spiritually and one that has pulled you away from God. Pray for wisdom in both.
- Ask the Lord to make you a man whose company invites others toward Christ, not away from Him.
- Confess together the ways you’ve trusted your own judgment instead of God’s — and receive grace to walk in obedience.
In His grip by His grace,
Roderick L. Barnes, Sr.
P.S. Marriage Effectiveness Calculus – I have observed that the kingdom effectiveness of a marriage is approximately the average of the people married. If the wife is hot for God (10 points) and the husband is not (2 points) the marriage operates like a 6. If the wife is hot for God (10 points) and the husband is against God (-10 points) the marriage is a zero. When both the husband (10 points) and wife (10 points) are determined to honor God it makes it easier for their marriage (10 points) to be used for the glory of God and the good of His people. The derivation of this calculus goes beyond my personal observations and reflections and would be posted here but there are too many pages of heinously difficult integrals, operations with complex numbers, and shenanigans with matrices.