Text: Judges 16:18-21
Memory text:
“And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” 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.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Anointing without faithfulness can be likened to a river without banks. It floods and destroys instead of refreshing. It’s also like fire without control. It burns everything, including the one carrying it. Or like a sword in the hand of a child. The anointing meant to bless becomes dangerous without character.
“… But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.” ‭‭(Judg‬ ‭16‬:‭20‬).
The unfaithfulness of Samson is a sobering lesson about wasted anointing and broken trust. Despite his unusual calling, Samson was unfaithful to his calling and to God.
As a Nazirite, Samson was consecrated to God — no wine, no contact with the dead, no cutting of hair (Num 6:1–5). Rather, Samson repeatedly broke his Nazarene vows. He touched a dead lion’s carcass (Judg 14:8–9). He attended feasts where wine flowed (Judg 14:10). He allowed his hair to be cut through compromise with Delilah (Judg 16:17–19). He treated holy things casually and lost divine strength.
Samson’s weakness for ungodly women became his downfall.
He pursued lust over purpose, choosing what pleased his eyes rather than what pleased God.
When his parents kicked against his intended relationship with a Philistine lady, Samson insisted he must have her. He pressed, “Get her for me; for she pleases me well.” (Judg 14:3). He was unfaithful to the established law that forbids Israelites’ marriage with the uncircumcised. His illicit relationships with Philistine women and Delilah in particular led him into captivity and destruction.
Samson was unfaithful to his purpose. Instead of pursuing the purpose of being anointed, which was for the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines, he pursued personal revenge and entertainment. He often fought out of anger and pride, not out of obedience (Judg 15:7).
The anointing is not given for excitement, but for assignment.
God empowers to fulfill a purpose. Samson showed gross unfaithfulness when he turned the anointing to a trophy instead of a trust. God doesn’t anoint for show off but for service; not for showmen but for stewards.
Friends, before God pours fresh or greater oil on your head, He checks your faithfulness in little things. Faithfulness is the container that holds the anointing, and without it, the oil leaks. Without the oil, destruction is guaranteed!

Prayer points
1. Father, please help me to be faithful to my calling, purpose, and to all that You have entrusted to me, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, open my eyes and deliver me from every secret weakness and acts of unfaithfulness that are gradually draining my anointing, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. God’s anointing upon me will increase, not decrease; will be preserved, not leaked; and will bless me and others, not destroy me.
2. I will be faithful to my calling, my purpose, and to God. I will always hold the anointing as trust and not as a trophy.