Text: “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:16).
I would venture to say that all of us have harbored envy at some time in our life time. It is not uncommon for us to resent someone because they have accomplished something in their life or they possess some item that we wished we had.
Perhaps the person was a recipient of an inheritance or maybe the person received recognition for doing some kind deed for someone or some organization. Maybe we drive an old car that is held together by bailing wire and duct tape while our neighbor, who works at the same place we work, drives a bright shining new car.
I believe it is human nature to want what someone else has. This is very common in relationships today. The average marriage lasts about 3 years. In fact, it is very common for a couple not to make a commitment of marriage, but instead, they just live together. If someone has not made a commitment they can pick up their toys and leave when things get tough or problems arise.
Married couples who are having issues tend to look to someone who will sympathize with them. When this happens, changes begin to occur in their mind and the person who is sympathizing with them leads them to believe he or she is the answer to their problem.
Satan has set the trap and the bait has been taken. Sin now enters the picture because the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence. If one would stop and think for just a moment, they would realize that the grass is always greener over the septic tank.
Envy has set in because one person desires the company of one who has a binding and legal relationship with another. It is permissible to listen to the problems of another person and to try to help that person, but not at the expense of committing a sinful act. None of us can solve all the problems created by others.
Many times when people step in to help those having problems, there is an ulterior motive just below the surface of the helping hand. For example, television advertisements tell people how to clear up all their debt obligations; how to lose 200 pounds in 30 days; how to change the belly fat into pure muscle by using this wonder exercise machine; how to get rid of back pain by using this gadget for 12 minutes each day; how to make $10,000 a week working with your home computer, or call this number, at a cost of $1.00 per minute, and a fortune teller will tell you anything you ever wanted to know.
Some of these advertisements really sound good, but if you stop and think for a moment, there is an ulterior motive. Each one of these offers cost you money. Every time someone takes advantage of one of these offers, the person or company offering makes money.
The testimonials projected on the television screen cause you to be envious of the people giving the testimony. You want what they have. Selfish ambition comes into play because you are convinced this is just what you need to satisfy your wants and your desires.
Your wants and your desires will never be satisfied with things. The only Person who can take care of your needs is the Lord Jesus Christ. The only Person who can help you live above envy is Jesus.
The only Person who can keep you in control, if your permit Him to do so, is the Lord Himself. He can eliminate selfishness in your life and my life. Jesus can do all that you will ever need and it will not cost you money. He can keep you alive and well and give you a productive life. The only cost is for Him to have permanent residence in your heart.
Let me share with you a little story about selfishness.
Story: “Why the Dead Sea?”
We have heard of dead people, dead beasts, dead trees and dead flowers, but is there such a thing as a dead sea? There is and they call it dead because it receives all and gives nothing. This body of water – the most remarkable in the world – is at the southern end of the Jordan Valley in Palestine.
It is 47 miles long and ten miles wide, 1292 feet below the sea level and is in one of the hottest regions on earth. It receives 5,000,000 tons of water daily into its bosom from the Jordan River, but gives none out to refresh and nourish the valley below, which has become an arid desert.
Its water is five times as salty as the ocean, is bitter to the taste, oily to the touch and leaves a yellow stain. No fish live in the water, no flowers bloom or fruits grow on its shores, no birds sing in it neighborhood. Its barkless driftwood and shores are incrusted with salt. Its setting is a scent of desolation and gloom, looking as if the curse of God rested on the entire region.
This is a striking emblem of the selfish life. Selfishness is the base of all sin.
-----------Gospel Herald
Let’s take a look at our Scripture reading and check out this fellow King Herod. Who was he? What was he king of? Was he respected by the people? Was he truthful, honest and fair? Was he a man of his word? Could he be trusted?
Herod was ruler over one of the four districts of Palestine. He was called a tetrarch – tetra- meaning four. His father was Herod the Great and was the one who had the little babies 2 years old and younger in Bethlehem destroyed.
When King Herod the Great died in 4B.C. his will stated that his kingdom was to be divided among his sons. Each son was called a tetrarch. One son, Herod Antipas, was given the territories of Galilee and the east bank of the Jordan.
According to history, King Herod carried on with many building projects. He built projects in Tiberias and also along the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. He appeared to be truthful, honest and fair as far as we know. He was truly a man of his word as we will see
Our Scripture reading tells us: “Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known” (Mark 6:14). The “Him” refers to Jesus. King Herod was like many other people of the day in that he heard and knew of Jesus, but just could not accept the fact of Jesus being the Son of God the Father.
People witnessed Jesus’ mighty power and authority, but refused to believe He was God incarnate or God in Person. They came up with their own explanations of who He was. King Herod said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him” (Mark 6:14).
Other peoples said, “It is Elijah” (v. 15). Still others said, “It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets” (v. 15). Some insisted this man to be another Moses, Isaiah, or Jeremiah.
It is interesting to note that although much time has gone by since King Herod Antipas was on the throne, some people are just as disbelieving this very day. They do not believe God’s Word. Jesus to them is just a name. He is no one special, just someone who might have existed years ago. Maybe he called Himself a teacher or a prophet, but they say people can call themselves whatever they want.
People have the choice to believe or not to believe in Jesus, but that does not change the fact that He is the Son of God who came to this earth out of love so that each of us could be redeemed and spend eternity with Him in the Mansion just over the hilltop.
King Herod liked John the Baptist. Scripture tells us that “Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly” (Mark 6:20).
King Herod feared or honored John because deep in his heart, the king knew John was truthful, honest and to the point. Herod evidently heard John preach and liked what he heard. He spoke highly of John and commended him for his thoughts and ideas.
If Herod thought so highly of John, why did he say, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead” (v. 16). It does not make sense that you would destroy someone whom you thought to be a praiseworthy friend.
This very thing is going on in some churches today. A person may like their pastor, praise him, and be his best friend until the pastor brings to light a sinful act going on in the life of the person. For example, the person might be leading a double life and cheating on their spouse. The person might be spending time with undesirable friends involving pornography, alcohol or drugs.
The pastor may not even have evidence of such, but in the course of his message dwells on one or more of these sinful acts which in turn strikes a dissonant cord in the subconscious mind of one of the sheep in his flock. When this happens, Satan and the Holy Spirit begin to battle in the heart of this person. Satan is trying to justify the issue while the Holy Spirit is condemning the issue.
At this point, the person has to make a choice. God does not pressure anyone into doing something, but Satan is trying to gain all he can. If the person chooses to follow Satan, then the pastor isn’t as nice as he used to be. He is delving into the person’s private life and the person resents the intrusion.
This is what happened to King Herod. He was friends with John and listened to what John had to say. He even did some of the things John talked about, until John approached Herod and said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife” (v. 18).
Here is what brought John to tell Herod and Herodias they were committing adultery. Herod’s brother Phillip was married to Herodias. At the same time, Herod was also married. Herod and Herodias took a liking to each other and in the process committed adultery.
Herod divorced his wife and Herodias divorced Phillip. Herod and Herodias became man and wife. When John approached Herod and Herodias concerning the issue of adultery, Herodias became upset and “….held it against him (John) and wanted to kill him, but she could not” (v. 19).
Herodias and Herod both possessed envy and were interested in their own self-satisfaction. John was telling them that the proper thing to do at this point would be to repent of their sin, ask God for forgiveness and continue in a right relationship.
Many people this day are no different than Herod and Herodias. People are living adulterous lives. They do not want the pastor to say anything about adultery and fornication. People are interested in satisfying their own desires and wants. Sin is a word people do not want to hear. Sin is sin and it is real and the end result is destruction.
Herod wanted to pacify Herodias, but he also respected John. John brought Herod’s sin into view of the public. In order to refocus public attention Herod had John arrested and placed in prison. This appeared to fix the problem, but in reality, it was a mistake. I say it was a mistake because it did not satisfy Herodias.
Herod’s birthday was soon to come and Herodias knew about it. Scripture tells us, “Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee” (v. 21).
At this event, Herodias brought her daughter in to dance for King Herod and all the guests present. Herodias knew that Herod would make an extravagant gift for the magnificent performance by her daughter. Herod’s words were: “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you” (v. 22).
The trap had been set and Satan was standing back with a big old smile upon his face. Now it was just a matter of time for the action to begin. Herod didn’t have enough common sense to stop talking, so these words flowed from his lips: “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom” (v. 23).
It is interesting to note that Herod was a ruler under Roman authority. Herod was merely a ruler and had no kingdom to give. When Herod made the statement about giving half of his kingdom, he was strengthening his previous statement about giving whatever was asked.
The words we use can be very powerful. We use words to communicate with others. We use words to express our feelings. We use words to impress other people. We use words to make promises of which some of them are beyond our means. Herod made a promise in the presence of the guests not knowing what would be asked.
The trap was about to close when the daughter consulted with her mother concerning her request. The mother’s plan was working and John would lose his life within the hour and Herodias would receive the self-satisfaction she so much desired.
The daughter appeared before Herod and said, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter” (v. 25).
At this time, Herod realized what a rash promise he had made. The sensible thing for the king to do would have been to repent and ask for forgiveness instead of carrying through with this unrighteous deed. Just to save his own face or to look good in the eyes of all who heard the promise and the request sent the executioner to John’s prison cell to behead him.
John’s life was taken because of the sin of adultery committed by Herod and Herodias. This situation could have been straightened out and forgiven if two people had not harbored envy and the desire of self-satisfaction. They knew they were wrong and had committed a sin, but when John brought it to their attention, it became public knowledge.
This very thing happens today and people get caught causing them to do destructive acts. People who are public servants often commit suicide after their act of adultery or unfaithfulness is publicized. They not only take their life but also the life of the other person involved.
It would be so much easier to repent of the wrongdoing, ask for forgiveness and live the Christian life. There is no sin that goes unnoticed because God knows our very thoughts and watches our actions. There is no sin that cannot be forgiven. There is no heart that cannot be made right. There is no prayer left unheard.
Story: “Your Secret Sins Will Come to Light”
The newspapers of Cincinnati recorded that a poorly dressed woman went to Dr. George Herman asking him to make an X-ray examination of her heart free of cost. She claimed that she was very poor and couldn’t pay.
The doctor consented to do the work. But when he turned his machine a little below the heart he saw a concealed pocket in which was a purse with five twenty-dollar gold pieces.
After the examination, the woman asked about the findings. “Your heart is very bad,” he said; “you lied when you said you were poor.”
In like manner all secret things will come to light before Almighty God.
---------------G. A. Swanson
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Jesus paid the price for our sins with the shedding of His own blood. He asks us to repent and invite Him into our heart in the Person of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
