Don't Lose Your Head!

Things are not always as they first seem. An example of this can be found in Mark 6:14-28 where we read about the beheading of John the Baptist. Mark records how John had spoken out against the adulterous relationship between Herod and Herodias, and they had him thrown into prison. Herodias would have had John killed, but Herod regarded him as a just and holy man and so he would not allow it. Then, on Herod's birthday, Salome, the daughter of Herodias, danced for Herod and it pleased him so much that he offered her anything she wanted. Salome asked her mother what she should do. Herodias told her to ask for John's head in a charger. This Herod did reluctantly because he had given his word and did not want to shame himself in front of his guests. Then John was beheaded. Here's a question for you. Who lost their head?

First, Herod lost his head. He lost it because he allowed himself to be controlled by pleasure (Mark 6:21-26). Herod didn't plan to lose his head that day, but it is easy to do in the "heat of the moment" when we are unprepared. Herod shows us we must always be on guard.

Second, Herodias lost her head. She lost her head because of a bad attitude. She was full of animosity and hate. She was defensive and vindictive. These things can destroy your life. Herodias' heart had to be a black as midnight to ask for the murder of a man just because he told the truth.

Third, Salome lost her head. This happened because she let somone else do her thinking for her. When the time comes to give an account for what she did, she cannot transfer personal responsibility for her part in this inhumanity to her mother. Remember, when you let someone else make your decisions, you don't even need your own head. You have already lost it. Someone once said, "There are two ways to go through life -- believe everything and believe nothing." God gave you a head so you can use it.

Herod, Herodias, and Salome all lost their heads. It was caused by pleasure, hate, and not thinking for oneself. As a matter of fact, the only person in this biblical story who kept his head was the one whose head was cut off. John stayed true to God and his values to the end of his life even though it cost him his life. When Satan comes tempting you, will you lose your head or keep it?