I always find that the course we take up at a juncture is in keeping with the influence we have allowed to rule us previous to the demand for any distinct action. We may fully intend to act rightly, but our previous course may have so unfitted us for acting rightly, that at the critical moment, though with the best intentions, we have not the power to act in accordance with them.
Samson had never given up the intention of being a Nazarite and an adversary to the Philistines; but, having yielded to influence and opened his mind to his company, he had no power to act against them, because they belonged to the line of things to which he had yielded in secret, and consequently had accepted. I cannot accept, and immediately after refuse. "No man... having drunk old wine straightway desireth new; for he saith, The old is better." Luke 5:3939No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. (Luke 5:39).
When I have accepted any influence for myself, I cannot act on that which surrounds me without first acting on myself; and that is judging myself. If this could be done, it would leave me without a conscience. I should be acting on the circle outside of me, while my own inner circle is untouched and skipped over. Hence, the armor in Ephesians 6 is defensive and personal first before it is aggressive. Samson's hair must begin to grow again before he gets any renewed strength against the Philistines. Where one's self, that is, the inner circle, is unjudged and unsubdued, one cannot expect to have power with another. I must take the beam out of my own eye, before I attempt to take the mote out of my brother's eye. I may, like Samson, honestly attempt to act as I have acted heretofore; there may be purpose and will to do so, but in the attempt I shall be confounded, and my weakness exposed.