Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Talk Tuesday-The Complexity of Sin; King Herod vs. John The Baptist

Have you ever found yourself entangled in a sin so complex that what appeared sweet in the beginning turned bitter in the end? Have you ever found yourself making excuses for your actions, justifying your choices despite the protestations of those whose Godly counsel you sought out in the past? How did you treat your 'trusted advisors' once you made up your mind to continue in your rebellion? I can speak from past experience-badly. I can recall becoming very defensive, antagonistic and even distancing myself from them, all the while stubbornly clinging to my will. I can recall struggling with that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach-that sense of knowing that I was not in the will of GOD, not acting according to His Word, yet charging forward to my eventual fall. I would imagine it was the same for King Herod too.

“17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.' 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled ; yet he liked to listen to him.” Mark 6:17-20

Why did Herod feel the need to retaliate against John for speaking the truth? What was it that drew him to John? Or, what was it about what John may have said that appealed to Herod's heart? How could he like listening to the man who condemned his actions? Most striking of all, is Herod's obvious distress when Herodias' daughter asks for John's head on a platter, after dancing for him at his banquet. In front of all his guests, he magnanimously told her to ask anything of him, and it would be given to her.

“25  At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: 'I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.' 26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.” Mark 6:25-26

Why didn't he, Herod the King, refuse her request and what does it tell us about sin? Firstly, it is complex. It attacks us spiritually, emotionally, psychologically and physically, leaving us in turmoil. It enslaves us, propelling us on a downward trajectory towards destruction. It is appealing, sweet in the mouth, bitter in the stomach. It also has a snowball effect, starting small and growing more powerful as we continue to engage in it. Finally, it leaves us feeling that there is no way out. It also seems inextricably linked to pride. What are your thoughts about sin? Can you relate to Herod's struggle? Add your comments and feedback either below or at www.biblegrouponline.com under the comments section. Join us next week as we look into John the Baptist's message of repentance!

5 comments:

Unknown said...

I am familiar with the feelings described above, regarding sin. What I've realized is that it's very easy to get conditioned and comfortable when committing presumptuous sins. It starts off as something sweet and irresistible, even though the after effects can be bitter in the beginning. Sadly, the only thing that woke me up from continually committing that type of sin, was when I was on the verge of being caught. God needed to pull up the handbrake in my life because I was quickly heading down the road to hell. Thank you Jesus for loving me so much and giving us all sufficient grace in our times of need!

Anonymous said...

Sin is always sweet in the beginning but bitter in the end. Genesis 3, in its account of “The Fall of Man” demonstrates how subtly the serpent ‘sugar-coated’ sin as he tempted Eve: “ For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (v 5)
The world of sin appears so enchanting, so palpably tempting…those living according to the dictates of the flesh ‘seem’ so free, so comfortable, so smug.
Yes, we make excuses for our actions, justifying our choices (like Eve).
Those of us who ‘have been there have come to recognize the ‘lies’ of the devil ,the ‘deception’ of sin and its suffocating deathly consequences of sin can gratefully say; “Thank God for Jesus Christ.”

Anonymous said...

Herod knew he was courting sin when he coveted his brother’s wife but as ‘king’ with absolute power, he was driven by pride, (one of the seven deadly sins). Along comes John the Baptist, saying to Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.'
Like Herod, we are fully aware when we indulge in sin, but also like Herod, correction brings us face to face with our sin and our selfish pride drives us to deal with the 'one' who dares to chastise/counsel/guide us in our downward spiral. Yes, pride and sin are inextricably interwoven. I have walked the road of sin, but I am free, at last! Jesus set me free.

Natasha said...

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments! The interesting thing about sin is that it is both alluring and deceiving at the same time. I would imagine that Herod's sin began as a thought, and snowballed into something much bigger. When I consider my own journey, the words that constantly resonate with me is, Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." There is also that verse in Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Even Jesus warns us in Matthew 15:18-19, "18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." Wow...that's a lot to consider. Our heart is such an important tool. So what should we do? I think reading God's Word, prayer and accountability are key. I like Romans 12:2, "2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Any thoughts?

Anonymous said...

Thank you for these watchwords. " Reading God's Word, prayer and accountability." Romans 12:2, "2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Everything you have written above is so utterly true! Blessings.