Afterwards

 Samson had been fighting the Philistines and winning.  In one day of powerful victory and strength, he even took the gates of a city to the top of the hill but the Scriptures say “afterwards he loved a woman.” Judges 16:4

No matter how many successes we have there is always an afterward.  A leader might take a great meeting or preach an awesome message but afterwards, there may come temptation or even a secret struggle with anger, lust or insecurity.  The greatest test of integrity is not when you have revival every night but often when nothing is going on; when it’s prayer night and you know only a handful will be there. The test is not when your marriage is in full bloom and exciting but when you come home to a tired and grumpy wife.  The test is not when you’re at home surrounded by loving parents who fill up your emotional tank but when you’re living away from home and your emotional tank still cries out for love.

Sadly it is not our successes that define us but it is our “afterward.” It is always in the "afterwards" that our integrity is tested and when our true character is revealed.  Behold, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. (Isa 48:10 ). In a firey time of testing God sees and chooses people who will not give up their birthright for a bowl of stew.

Friend, let’s watch out for the “afterwards.” Samson found out that the afterwards of sin took him further than he planned to go and cost him more than he wanted to pay. Jesus was tested in the wilderness. The Bible says “Afterwards He was hungry”. Satan tempted Him with bread but gladly for us, Jesus knew that after a hard spiritual victory, never to pamper yourself with an easy pleasure.