Thinking about grudges
In Mark 6:14–29 we read the account of the beheading of John the Baptist. I read this recently with my son. Quite an interesting story to read in God’s Word, would you agree? One part really stuck out to me. Read verses 18-20.
“For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.”
Notice verse 19. “Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him…”
This verse got me to thinking about grudges. I’m sure we have all held grudges against others throughout our lives. There are many reasons we could develop a grudge against someone I suppose….because of something they said to us, because of something they have that we don’t, because of some accomplishment they have achieved, because of something they have told you that you didn’t want to hear, because of the way they look. Maybe it is something you don’t even realize is there, but if you stop and think about it you may realize you are harboring a grudge against someone. Sometimes the person you have a grudge against does not even know you have the grudge either.
Reading this verse reminded me how important it is not to hold grudges. Herodias had this grudge, and it led to her wanting to kill John. She was upset because of what John had said, and this led to her grudge and wanting to kill John (which eventually happened). Maybe that seems extreme or something we would never do. But I think we can all use the reminder today of the danger of nursing grudges. It may seem like nothing but can quickly turn our hearts very ugly.
Check your heart today and make sure you don’t have any hidden grudges.
Have a day of blessings!
Nice post.
So true, Bethany. We sometimes harbor grudges we don’t even know why. Thank you for the reminder to let go of whatever it is we have against a person, and see them as God sees them.