Judges 16:25b-26 When they stood him among the pillars, Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.”
The pillars are the strength to the building. Samson, after he was taken captive because of his foolish adulterous lifestyle, was brought into the temple of Dagon to entertain the Philistines. They were celebrating the conquest over the strongest man on earth, Samson, and accredited their god Dagon for the victory. While they were in high spirits, they shouted, “Bring out Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them (vs 25a). The Philistines had gouged out his eyes. When Samson was brought into the temple of Dagon, he reached out to the pillars that supported the temple. This portrait symbolizes the demonic pillars that build diabolical strongholds in people.
Spiritually, the outward behaviours and reactions will always be supported by deep seeded demonic pillars. From the pillars of “idolatry”, revelry, rebellion and adultery support each other. The pillars of “pride”, slander and criticism stand side by side. To destroy rebellion and revelry, the pillar of idolatry must be demolished and to overcome slander and criticism, the pillar of pride must be uprooted.
The moral and the military failure of Samson were rectified as he brought the pillars of the temple of Dagon down. If we surprise ourselves by our foul reactions and reflexes then, it is evident that there are hidden pillars supporting the ugly character traits and bad behaviour patterns.
Uprooting Hidden Pillars:
1. Discern: Discernment on any issue will reveal the hidden truth. Unless the truth is revealed, we will not be able to address the issue. Samson realized the cause of his failure. He prayed for strength to crush the pillars that were supporting the temple of Dagon. Discern the reason behind the anger, bitterness and animosity and uproot the pillars that support these emotions. Discern before your retort.
2. Destroy: Samson pulled the temple down by crushing the pillars. When the core or the root of the problem is dragged to light, all other accompanying demons will be driven-out. The root of anger tantrums could be insecurity, fear or even pride. Destroy the unhealthy pillars that support unwholesome character traits.
3. Demolish: Samson demolished the demonic ghetto. Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived (vs 30). Demolish the hidden pillars that support wrong thoughts and traits.
Corrupt demonic pillars will support and spring forth a family of foul thoughts, actions and habits. Don’t address the symptoms; attack the root of the problem. Uproot the hidden pillars.
2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, show me the hidden pillars that support wrong habits and give me the strength to uproot them. Amen.
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