3 Kinds of Kryptonite

Did you ever read Superman as a kid, or at least see one of the various versions at the movies? You may remember that Superman’s only weakness was kryptonite, chunks of rock and debris that came from his home planet, Krypton. In the old comic books, kryptonite was green and instantly drained Superman of all his powers. But then some writers got creative and started coming up with different varieties of kryptonite. The red variety had random, wacky effects on the Man of Steel, sometimes causing him to mutate into animals or insects. The black kind changed his personality and caused psychological problems.

Although Samson wasn’t from Krypton, he definitely had several issues that preyed on his weaknesses. As we’ll see, despite having so much going for him, despite being chosen by God and blessed with supernatural strength, Samson couldn’t escape his flaws. For all the blessings in his life, he often was his own worst enemy.

Sound familiar? Can you relate?

Unfortunately, I believe most of us are a lot like Samson— minus the superstrength and long hair, of course. Just as Samson had potential for greatness, he squandered that potential again and again through foolish decisions. He gave in to his emotions instead of following God’s leading. He lunged after immediate gratification instead of obeying God. And he lost sight of his blind spots, which ultimately cost him his sight.

Most guys today are no different. I can’t tell you how many guys I’ve met who are really aggressive at work, type-A leaders who go and take charge of situations and conquer their marketplaces. They’re business studs, kicking tail and taking names. Striking deals. Moving ahead. Getting promoted. Then these same guys, when they get home, crash on the couch and turn passive. They refuse to lead their families or help their kids discover their purpose in life. They don’t hesitate to take the field in one setting, then bench themselves in another.

I also talk to guys all the time who are disciplined at committing themselves to their finances, their careers, their hobbies, their fitness. They commit to what they want to commit to, but they won’t commit to a woman.

Some men spend hours researching and studying everything that interests them. What’s the best rod and reel? What’s the best kind of TV to buy? And where can I get the best deal? They’ll spend hours worshiping at the altar of selfishness, but they won’t spend five minutes studying God’s Word to build themselves spiritually.

A lot of guys honestly, deeply love both God and the special women in their lives. And yet these same men, men who possess so many godly attributes, find themselves locked in a prison of lust. But they’re paralyzed, too afraid or ashamed to ask for help. So they do what men have done for centuries. They fake it. They live one life publicly and another one privately. They smile godly and loving smiles, while inwardly they’re consumed by a raging fire of lust.

All of these different guys have so much untapped potential, yet they’re slowly self-destructing through a cascade of bad decisions. What destroys, devastates, and demeans so many potentially great men? Samson’s life shows us the same three problems that have made strong men weak since the beginning of time:

Lust. Entitlement. Pride.