"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked." Psalm 1:1
I have made plenty of horrible choices in my short-lived life on this earth. However, I try my hardest not to let those poor choices be made in vain. I make an intentional effort to learn from every despicable thing I've done in an effort not to repeat it in the future.
I also try really hard to learn from other people's mistakes. Sometimes our best lessons come from the strife or turmoil that others face as a result of their poor choices and decision making skills. Some of their worst moments and experiences can provide us our best education.
I'm always intrigued in Scripture whenever we can glean a lesson and learn from someone who isn't a follower of Christ. Sure, the Bible is filled with plenty of examples where God's people offer great wisdom to us, but there are many instances throughout the Bible where God has used "pagan" people to teach us a lesson. Many times these lessons come as a result of their poor choices and actions.
The story of the beheading of John the Baptist caught my attention the other day. After reading it, I was reminded how important it is to seek out wise counsel and how choosing the alternative can be deadly.
CAUTION: This story could be featured on any daytime soap opera . . . it's that twisted!
Matthew records his account of John's death in chapter fourteen of his Gospel. You'll remember Herod the Great from the Christmas story and the killing of all the newborn baby boys born in and around Bethlehem following the birth of Christ. Well, the ruthless nature of Herod the Great was passed down to his offspring, including his son Herod Antipas.
Herod Antipas is credited with requesting the head of John the Baptist on a platter during a birthday party while surrounded by his closest friends and family. The back story is quite sordid and interesting, and is the source for the many lessons that we can learn.
Herod Antipas is guilty of marrying his brother's wife while his brother was still living. This would be considered a "no-no" today, as well as 2000 years ago! Well, the great John the Baptist who is known for calling a spade a spade, made it clear that it was unlawful for Herod to do such a thing. Herod Antipas did what many wicked leaders would do with such an outspoken opponent, he put John in prison!
As John the Baptist sits in prison, Herod is wining and dining his guests at his birthday celebration. After witnessing what must have been a rather erotic and questionable dance by his step-daughter (I know. . . gross!) , he was so enticed that he offered her anything that her little heart desired out of appreciation for her performance (14:6-7).
Here is where we begin learning lessons from this story. The young lady questions her mom and asks what she should request. Mom says, "Ask for John the Baptist's head on a platter!" (14:8).
- LESSON #1: Always seek counsel from a wise and Godly advisor. Sometimes people will give you advice based on how they will be benefited in the process. Herod's wife was still upset about John's protest to her relationship with Herod Antipas. She advised her daughter based on her own selfish desires.
When Herod heard the request, he was distressed and didn't really want to comply (14:9). As he looked around at all of the eyes staring at him, he bowed to the pressure and sent the order for John's head to be brought to him (14:10).
- LESSON #2: Peer pressure and pride can lead you to make poor decisions. Even adults succumb to peer pressure. Had Herod not felt like he had a reputation to uphold in front of all of his cronies, he's likely to have made a different decision. His moral compass went out the door in an effort to save face.
Ultimately, Herod Antipas would have never been a part of such a gory story had his decision making been a little wiser from the beginning. He chose to make one bad decision after the other, which resulted in the cruel death of an innocent person.
- LESSON #3: Our poor decisions often affect other people. Herod's conscience didn't take into account the collateral damage that would come as a result of his choices. His family relationships had to be fractured because of his choice in a wife. This poor choice led to the shock and hurt that was caused to John's disciples when they were notified of his ugly death.
Think for a moment about these three lessons we have learned from Herod and let's see how we can relate them to our own lives.
- When you need advice, do you seek out someone who is rooted and grounded in their faith and in God's Word? Or, do you take counsel from sources who have shown no sign of God's leadership in their lives?
- Do you make choices based on the company you keep? Are you prone to make poor decisions when you're around people who don't build you up spiritually?
- Does the fear of hurting your reputation affect the way you live your life? Do you choose to save face at times, rather than do the right thing?
- Do you take into consideration the people who might get hurt along the way because of a decision you are about to make? We don't live on an island and almost everything we do affects those around us.
Where this story has definitely been ungodly at almost every turn, I hope you've gleaned some Godly insights from it. Ask God to expose times in your life where you might have made decisions using some of the same thought processes as Herod did. Ask God to take away the pride and selfish nature that many times guide our decision making. And perhaps most importantly, ask God to place in your life some Godly individuals that you can always rely on for wise counsel.
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