A Family Down The Tubes

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
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Title: A Family Down The Tubes ------------------- Date: 1/19/2003
Keywords: "anger" "bitterness" "innocence" "revenge"
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Passage: Mark 6:14-29*

14. And King Herod heard of it [the fact that Jesus’ disciples were going about casting out demons and healing people], for [Jesus’] name had become well known; and people were saying, "John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him."

15. But others were saying, "He is Elijah." And others were saying, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old."

16. But when Herod heard of it, he kept saying, "John, whom I beheaded, has risen!"

17. For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her.

18. For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife."

19. Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death and could not do so;

20. for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him.

21. A strategic day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his lords and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee;

22. and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you."

23. And he swore to her, "Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom."

24. And she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."

25. Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."

26. And although the king was very sorry, yet because of his oaths and because of his dinner guests, he was unwilling to refuse her.

27. Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and had him beheaded in the prison,

28. and brought his head on a platter, and give it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.

29. When his disciples heard about this, they came and took away his body and laid it in a tomb.

Questions

1. Are you angry with anyone right now and having a hard time with forgiveness?

 

2. Have you ever been angry at someone who was telling you the truth?

 

3. How does bitterness harm a family?

 

Practical help

Distorted actions come from distorted thinking. Herodias was angry with John the Baptist for explaining a few important principles for healthy families, like not taking your brother’s wife, especially by force.

Isn’t it interesting how this bitter anger was transmitted to the daughter? Young people are susceptible to the poor behavior of those adults who are responsible for helping them grow up. The number of young boys and girls who have been abused in and by the pornography industry because they were sold out by parents and guardians is known to be an astronomical number.

Pornography is no more innocent than this little girl’s dance was. If you are "entertained" by viewing smut, I hope you recognize that your thinking is already distorted and will continue to decline. To make better choices, do more of what you are doing right now — read God’s word and pray for His cleansing power to sweep through your life. Your family’s health, not to mention your own, depends on it.

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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."