Matthew Chapter 14: Verses 6-10 (NLT)
But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. So John was beheaded in the prison…
Herod had married his sister-in-law, so her daughter was also Herod’s niece. Because the young girl pleased him with her dance at his birthday party, he offered her anything she wanted. What an opportunity! Yet she was influenced by her mother. She asked for what her mother wanted. She must have known it was wrong, and she, like her uncle, probably regretted it. She was obviously under pressure so she did as she was told. Herod likewise did not want to kill John, but he also felt the need to save face, rather than do the right thing.
How easily do we bow to peer pressure just to go with the flow, or to fit in with the crowd, even when we know that something isn’t right? We need to remember the verse from yesterday that we saw Paul remind the Corinthians about. We may feel that it’s difficult to be the odd one out, especially when we’re young. Just because our friends and acquaintances are okay about adopting a particular course of action, doesn’t mean that we should too. The Holy Spirit will give us the strength to stand firm if we ask for His help. That’s far better than trying to save face and going ahead with something which we know we will later regret. We should also remember not to push anyone into taking a particular course of action if they are unsure about it. We too can exert influence over others, let’s make sure its for good and for God’s glory.
Dear Lord.
Help me to remember that I may exert influence over others by my actions and conduct. May I then be careful who it is I represent and not cause anyone else to behave in a manner that I know is not right. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.