PROFILES —-
HEROD ANTIPAS
DISTURBED BY THE TRUTH
Herod was a man of power who lived like he was above the law. He often heard half-truths and flattery from the crowd of people who surrounded him because they feared him and his position of power. But Herod experienced a “holy disturbing” when he heard the truth being spoken by John the Baptist. John the Baptist did not hold back from declaring what was righteous or speaking the cutting truth—even when it meant calling out Herod himself for the adulterous, illegal, and shameful act of marrying his own brother’s wife, Herodias. What disturbed Herod was the truth spoken that exposed his faults. In turn, even though Herod liked hearing John speak, he eventually made efforts to silence him. Eventually, the truth hurt too much and threatened his propped-up character.
Truth can hurt, but it can also lead us to freedom from our wrong ways if we respond humbly and admit our need. Herod wanted to silence the voice of truth, and he resisted turning from his sins. How are you responding to God’s voice of truth in this season of your life? Are you allowing the truth to set you free (John 8:32)?
THINK & PRAY
WHAT IS THE STATE OF YOUR HEART —- SOFT OR CALLOUS?
We are similar to Herod in this respect: We are all given chances to hear the voice of truth, which can make us feel conviction. How we respond to that conviction, though, is what matters. Our response is key. The first step to hearing from God is placing our faith in Him and repenting of our sins to receive the salvation He wants to give all of us. That is why Jesus came—to save people like Herod, you, and me from our immorality. When we sense conviction about our wrongness, God calls us through various means to believe in Jesus as our personal Savior. Herod refused this kind of response. He is an example of hard-heartedness to the truth spoken to him about his need for God’s forgiveness and mercy for his sins. How have you responded?
This message of hearing the truth from God and responding to His conviction is an ongoing part of the Christian walk. Along the way, we stumble and wrestle with sin, even after we are saved from it and are forgiven in God’s eyes. So we must always keep a watch on how we are responding to God’s voice of truth. Do we hear Him with a soft heart or a callous heart? Do we respond by confessing our daily need for Him and thanking Him for His forgiveness, or do we try to silence Him? Let’s learn from Herod and ask God to keep our hearts and attitudes toward His voice sensitive and obedient.