UNLAWFULL ACTS

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 Theme: Unlawful Acts 

Text: Matthew 14:3-5

3 For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.



Everyone desires an orderly system where we are well guided by laws. A lawless society has no peace and falls short of the glory of God. Herod was in a position he ought to do the right thing but he did otherwise. John the Baptist boldly confronted him on what he was doing yet he never relent in his actions. The ten commandments guide us in our relationship with God and fellow humans - the seventh states "Thou shalt not commit adultery". It was unlawful for Herod to take his brother's wife as it breaches the seventh and tenth commandments. 

Herod did not just commit adultery but also coveted the wife of Philip. Such unlawful acts must not be encouraged in our societies. Dear beloved in the Lord one sin always lead to another. In the case of Herod, an unlawful act of adultery pushed him to covet and the edge to kill has been stirred in him - never put your arm in the sleeve of an unlawful act for it will fully clothe you in shame and dishonour. The edge to act unlawfully surrounds us on all sides from our homes (when we have a misunderstanding with our spouse or are seduced by another), workplace pressures to surrender to the dictates of our superior to not do the right thing, bad influence from associates, and things we do in solitude or behind closed doors that conforms to unlawful acts amongst others. Flee unlawful acts and embrace purified living. 


Supporting Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21

PRAYER: Dear God, have mercy on us for we have allowed the edge of lawlessness in our lives and it has destroyed us badly. Lord, we surrender to You and seek Your grace to flee from the dictates of sin and its lawless enterprises. Holy Spirit please take control over our will, thoughts, and hearts so that we will be led by You in all that we do in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!       

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