“Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.” (Proverbs 20:17 NKJV)
While Samson was going down to Timnah with his parents to get a wife from the Philistines, a young lion came roaring against him at the vineyards of Timnah. At that moment, the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon Samson, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands (Judg. 14:5-6).
Afterward, when Samson was returning to Timnah to get his wife on his second trip, he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion.
“And behold, a swarm of bees and honey were in the carcass of the lion. He took some of it in his hands and went along, eating. When he came to his father and mother, he gave some to them, and they also ate. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey out of the carcass of the lion.” (Judg. 14:8-9 NKJV).
That was the beginning of the great fall of Samson!
But how did tasting honey from the carcass of the lion slain by Samson with the aid of the Spirit of God become Samson’s launching pad to destruction?
Let us carefully examine the subtle disobedience of Samson in the light of God’s Word!
It is not a sin for Samson to eat honey; however, the honey he took from the carcass of the lion he killed on his way to Timnah was forbidden.
How was it forbidden honey?
Samson was born a Nazirite to God!
The angel who came to announce the conception of Samson said to his parents, “Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. Now drink no wine or similar drink, nor eat anything unclean, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.'” (Judg. 13:7 NKJV).
As a Nazirite to God, it was forbidden for Samson to go near or touch any dead body. The Nazirite Law prohibits that.
The Law states, “All the days that he separates himself to the LORD he shall not go near a dead body.” (Num. 6:6 NKJV).
So, the honey Samson ate and shared with his family was forbidden – a fruit of his disobedience to God’s law.
The honey undoubtedly gave Samson some pleasure; however, it was fleeting or temporary. The consequences of his disobedience were eternal sorrows, pains, and regrets.
The Bible describes the honey from sin as “the passing pleasures of sin.” (Heb. 11:25 NKJV).
It is indisputable that sins do give some pleasures and rewards. There are some pleasures, benefits, or rewards in prostitution, pre-marital or extra-marital sex; if not, nobody will engage in it.
There are rewards or gains in defrauding and swindling gullible people and stealing or embezzling public funds. Sometimes, ungodly acts could yield so much fruit that you can even share with others, like Samson, who shared the forbidden honey with his parents.
However, from both the Scripture and history, it is incontestable and undeniable that the pleasure, happiness, benefit, reward, profit, or gain derived from sin or unrighteousness is temporary, transitory, or short-lived.
The Scripture clearly states this truth.
“Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.” (Prov. 20:17 NKJV).
“Do you not know this of old, since man was placed on earth, that the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment?” (Job 20:4-5 NKJV).
Although the forbidden honey or the fruit of disobedience to God’s Word may seem reasonable, enticing, and enjoyable, it carries a deadly poison. Sadly, many people today eat, swallow, and consume the forbidden honey or fruit without realizing it is deadly.
It is impossible to separate sin and death!
Sin naturally produces death!
You cannot embrace sin and shun the wages of sin – eternal death!
The Scripture affirms this truth.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23 NKJV).
“Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death.” (Jam. 1:15 RSV).
“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.” (Rom. 6:20-21 NKJV).
Any riches, wealth, or material possession you amassed or accumulated through fraud, robbery, stealing, deceit, manipulation, prostitution, adultery, or fornication is forbidden honey—sweet but deadly.
Though forbidden honey may give you temporary pleasure, happiness, prestige, fame, honor, or praise; however, it will eventually produce eternal pains, regrets, and sorrows (Prov. 9:13-18).
The Scripture warns, “Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.” (Prov. 20:17 NKJV).
The consequences of the forbidden fruit that the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, ate are still visible today.
Beloved, beware of eating forbidden honey, for there is poison or death in it. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they instantly died spiritually and lost all God had freely given them (Gen. 3:22-24).
Only a fool eats poisonous honey simply because it is sweet!
Solomon attests to this truth.
“Fools laugh at sin, but among the righteous there is favor.” (Prov. 14:9 MKJV).
“It is like sport to a fool to do wrong, but wise conduct is pleasure to a man of understanding.” (Prov. 10:23 RSV).
Friend, stop being a fool!
Turn to Jesus Christ today; He will save you and deliver your soul from eternal death.
The Scripture admonishes you to “Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding.” (Prov. 9:6 NKJV).
Prayer: My Dear Heavenly Father, have mercy upon me today and deliver my soul from the terrible effects of all the forbidden honey I have eaten. I receive and confess Jesus Christ today as my personal Lord and Saviour, in Jesus’ name. Amen.