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Judges 15

Good Morning “Non Negotiators.”  Today we are in Judges 15.  

“We do not negotiate with terrorists.”  Maybe you’ve heard that statement is some sort of shoot em up movie, or news program.  Behind it, is the idea that no matter what, we don’t give into the desires of the evil in any way.  We just don’t want to open that door.  Besides, bargaining with evil NEVER works to a good end.

We’ve got a lot of things at play in this chapter.  God has effectively used Sampson’s own sin consequences as a means of motivating him to stand up and deliver Israel.  Gone is his desire to “mingle” with the Philistines.  Now he just wants them all dead.  Judah, once mighty warriors within Israel, has been reduced to… ”Don’t you realize that the Philistines are rulers over us? What have you done to us?”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭15‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

They would rather “keep the peace” and be ruled by the evil Philistines than stand for God and against their evil ways.  In fear, they turn over Sampson for the sake of pacifying their true enemy!  Come on guys!  

Is that what has become of us and the church?  Good men, doing nothing, in the name of “keeping the peace”?   It is a dark day when Gods people are content to allow His enemies to control them. Something is wrong with us when we no longer despise our true enemies. Friendship with the world offends God. (Romans 8:7-8).  

Enmity between us and the devil (evil), was placed there by God after the fall!  (Genesis 3:15) It is a good thing, driving us toward what’s right!  Jesus came for WAR not peace!  (Matthew 10:34, 1John 3:8). We are His ambassadors, both to model righteousness and love, and rebuke evil!  Maybe you’ve heard it said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is when good men do nothing.”  Only through Christ is any man good - with purpose.  Because of His mercy what ought we be?  

”Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.“
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭97‬:‭10‬.  Also check out Psalm 139:19-22

Love you all!  Dig in!  Don’t negotiate with evil!