The Fruit of a Grudge

“For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 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.”

 

“So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.”

Mark 6:18-20, 27-28

 

Nursing a grudge does not lead to anything good.

Herod’s wife Herodius was nursing a grudge against John the Baptist.

He had spoken the truth and it stung her.

She was offended by his words.

Offenses can lead to grudges.

The grudge not dealt with bears fruit.

It is not good fruit as we can clearly see from our text.

“But”, you say, “they were unbelievers”.

So

Does that void the principle of sewing and reaping?

We can, and unfortunately do, hold grudges.

We can repent, we can forgive the offender or we can bear the fruit of a grudge.

It is interesting to note that not only was the fruit of this grudge literally the life of John the Baptist but perhaps even the eternal life of Herod.

We are told that Herod was listening to the words of John.

He even liked to listen to him.

Could there have been a continued work in the life of Herod?

Perhaps, but instead the grudge bore its’ fruit.

Don’t hold grudges.

Forgive the offender.

Let go of what is holding you.

The best fruit worth bearing is the Fruit of the Spirit!