Stop evil before evil stops you!

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 8, 2023 | Matthew 14:1-12

KEY VERSE:

Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet. Matthew 14:5 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

We can often blame other people when we find ourselves caught in some difficulty because of the choices we have made. We can blame our parents, our friends, our spouse etc. But we may need to search our hearts to ascertain if the root of the problem does not lie deep in the recesses of our own souls, and that the contribution of whomever we are blaming is only the torch that ignited the stored-up fuel.

It is very clear from the text that Herodias played a clearly wicked role in the matter of the murder of the righteous John the Baptist. And she was as detailed as she was strategic about her evil doing. But our key verse shows that the matter was more in the bosom of Herod; “Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.” Matthew 14:5 (NIV). Herod had always had the intention and desire to kill John. We have talked about his fear of the people that kept him from doing his evil. Herod only lacked the free hand and the opportunity to do his evil. The bravery and treachery of Herodias only pushed Herod into the corner where he was compelled to do the desire of his heart.

The power of evil springs from within us and collaborates with other agents around us to do us in and finish us off. For King Herod, Herodias became the external agent that brought his sin to maturity and full birth.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

What evil are we nursing in our hearts? Are we aware of them, and do we see them as evil? We must identify them as little lions that will grow into big lions that will ultimately attack and kill. We must repent of sin when it crouches at our door and seeks to make an entry into our lives to make us its servant.

PRAYER:

Lord, please throw your light into this dark heart of mine, and please expose to me whatever is a seed of sin that lurks in me. Grant me the courage to call my sinful tendencies by the name of sin that you call them. And above all give me the power to renounce and reject my sins before they capture me and make me their slave. I ask for this for your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!