Have you ever done something to cover-up your sin. Usually it takes another sin to cover the first one up doesn't it? Here we have the account of John the Baptist who was arrested and beheaded by the order of Herodias, the wife of King Herod... why? Because she was first King Herod's brother's wife first (Philip) and John had been telling Herod "It is against God's law for you to marry your brother's wife."
First thing that pops into mind was, why was John telling Herod Antipas what to do, under Jewish Law? But Antipas was an Edomite and of Jewish decent. So John could expect for Herod to obey Jewish law concerning marriage.
Most importantly, in this telling though, I think I need to look at Herodias ... trying to cover up the shame that she had inside her, by having this grudge against John the Baptist. Herod I don't think really cared what John said, though while in prison, John seemed to amuse Herod with his teachings.
When we are corrected, what is our response? Do we accept the correction and change what we are doing? Or do we start to feel tense and defensive? I tend to lean towards the last part, especially if the correction comes from someone I don't respect as much. But really, isn't that part of Selfish Pride? When I get into these situations, it's only later that I tend to realize, "you know, maybe they were right." I think this can be very true in a marriage... on both sides.
It seems harder to admit your wrong, or to be corrected by people, then we do with God sometimes, and yet, we need to learn the lesson of Herodias ... of how hard our heart can become if we don't learn from other people, and let pride get in the way of doing what is right.
Sin begets more sin, unless we take measured step to avoid stepping into the same trap... and that encompasses being more involved with letting go of self, and allowing Christ to work in us.
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