Herod admired John the Baptist and protected him from Herodia, his evil wife. He enjoyed listening to him even if he, Herod, was the target of John’s preaching. At least John’s courage puzzled him (v20). Unfortunately due to rash words uttered at an unguarded moment he murdered this man that he acknowledged was righteous and holy and as a result, lived under the pangs of guilty conscience for the rest of his life as indicated by his belief that John had come back to life in the person of Jesus Christ (v16).
If only Herod had thought through the words he was about to say or the promises he was about to make! If only he had formed the habit of weighing his words, he would not have been faced with the most difficult choice of having to swallow his promise to the young lady in the presence of his august visitors. He would have had time to weigh the implication of honouring such a heinous request!
Solomon highlighted the danger clearly when he stated in Prov.10v19 that “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Whether the rash words are targeted at God or fellow man, the danger is the same – Sin!
We will do well to heed the advice from three men who should know and above all that of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
- David – prayed “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD, keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalms 141v3)
- Solomon – in Ecc. 5v1-7, extensively advises on the management of our tongue before God encouraging us to be silent rather than offering the sacrifice of fools. Specifically in v2 he admonishes “Do not be quick with your mouth ,do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” He warned that God might be angry at what we say and destroy the work of our hands.
- James - admonishes that “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1v19).
- Jesus Christ – emphasised the need for us to weigh our words because “…men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”(Matt.12v32)
Lord, I pray along with David today that you set a guard over my mouth and keep watch over the door of my lips In Jesus name. Amen.