On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. Matt 14:6-12
Herod was just a little worried (maybe a lot worried) that John the Baptist spoke the truth when John condemned Herod's divorce from one woman and his subsequent marriage to Herodias, the ex-wife of his half-brother. Herod was afraid that John was indeed a prophet and servant of God. Although, Herod wanted to keep John from stirring up trouble against him, he did not want him executed. But, carried away with excitement over watching his step-daughter dance for him, Herod promised to give her whatever her heart desired. Her heart's desire, was her mother's heart's desire: the execution of John the Baptist.
We need to be careful as to how impressed and excited we get with the things of this world. Before we know it, desires of the heart may have carried us to a place that we never intended or wanted to go. We can get caught up with temptation without even realizing it until it is too late and what we would not desire to do has already been done.
The best way out of these situations is to not enter into situations that will tempt us in the first place. Do what is right because it is the right thing to do. Do what is right because it will glorify God.
God's Peace - Pr. J
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