INTRODUCTION: One true description of sin would be “having it your way.” This sounds so innocent to the natural ear. What is wrong with having it our way? Yet, every act of rebellion against God begins with us taking our choice over God’s choice. We do not care what God wants. We must have it our way.

It starts out simple enough, but where does it lead? It has been said that sin takes us where we do not want to go and that is a true statement. Sin is wrong because it rebels against the will of God; it is dangerous because of where it takes us. During the message today, examine your life to see where your sin may be taking you.

1. THE GUILT OF HEROD (Matthew 14:1-2 [1] At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, [2] And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
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1. In Hearing the Fame of Jesus (Matthew 14:1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
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2. In Assuming the Return of John (Matthew 14:2And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
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1. Herod had killed John the Baptist.
2. In his guilt, he expected the return of this holy man.
3. Are you tormented by guilt?
1. If it is for a past sin that has been forgiven, then it is a device of Satan to hinder your service to God. Allow God to forgive you and continue in the grace of that forgiveness. (1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
   See All... – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”)
2. If it is for a present or continuing sin, then you know part of the price of the sin—but not all. Repent of your sin and allow God to forgive. The guilt you are experiencing is not worth the sin you are enjoying. (2 Chronicles 7:14If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
   See All... – “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”)
2. THE IMPRISONMENT OF JOHN (Matthew 14:3-5 [3] For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. [4] For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. [5] And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
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1. The Sin of Herod (Matthew 14:3For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
   See All...); Herod took Herodias, his brother’s wife, as his own wife.
2. The Preaching of John (Matthew 14:4For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
   See All...); John preached against the sin of Herod.
1. This was a bold act against the ruler of the land.
2. However, John had clear scriptural support for his stand: (Leviticus 20:21And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.
   See All... – “And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.”)
3. God will use some person or some event to accuse you of your sin. Your sin puts you in a battle with God and He will find some way to accuse you.
3. The Taking of John (Matthew 14:3For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
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1. Unrepented sin leads to further sin.
2. Cover-up tends to the piling up of sin.
4. The Restraint of Herod (Matthew 14:5And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
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1. Herod stopped short of killing John because of his fear of the people.
2. This shows that men are not so compelled to sin that they cannot control it when properly motivated. This makes their guilt the more guilty.
3. THE ENTICEMENT OF HERODIAS’ DAUGHTER (Matthew 14:6-7 [6] But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. [7] Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
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1. The Dance that Pleased Herod (Matthew 14:6But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
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1. A special celebration of Herod’s birthday
2. A special dance by the daughter of Herodias
3. A dance that was received with lustful delight
2. The Oath that Bound Herod (Matthew 14:7Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
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1. Herod promised her anything to the half of his kingdom (Mark 6:23And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
   See All... – “And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.”)
2. Sin and the lusts of sin lead to further foolishness.
4. THE MARTYRDOM OF JOHN (Matthew 14:8-12 [8] And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. [9] And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. [10] And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. [11] And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. [12] And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
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1. The Request for John the Baptist’s Head (Matthew 14:8And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
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1. Herodias had already made plans for this moment.
2. Satan plots to take you in your sin (Luke 22:31And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
   See All... – “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:”)
2. The Submission of Herod to the Evil Deed (Matthew 14:9And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
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1. Herod was sorry for the deed.
1. Herod had a certain fear of John (Mark 6:20For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
   See All... – “For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.”)
2. Herod knew the wrongness of the deed.
3. Men can feel guilty or sorry about a sin even while they commit it.
2. He agreed to the beheading
1. For the sake of his oath
2. For the sake of those who heard him
3. Sin will catch you in a chain of events that seemingly cannot be stopped; it picks you up and carries you along with it.
3. The Beheading of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:10-11 [10] And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. [11] And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
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1. John was beheaded in prison (Matthew 14:10And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
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2. John’s head was delivered to the damsel (Matthew 14:11And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
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4. The Burial of John the Baptist by his Disciples (Matthew 14:12And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
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5. THE REACTION OF JESUS (Matthew 14:13-14 [13] When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. [14] And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
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1. He Went Apart for a Time of Prayer (Matthew 14:13When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
   See All..., 23).
1. He sought out a deserted place (Matthew 14:13When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
   See All...).
2. When the initial plan failed, He tried again (Matthew 14:23And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
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1. He sent the multitudes away.
2. He went into a mountain apart to pray.
3. He spent time there alone.
3. When the saints of God see the consequences of sin in others, it causes them to draw unto God in prayer and meditation.
2. He Went Forth to Minister to the Multitudes (Matthew 14:14And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
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1. He was moved with compassion on the multitudes.
2. He healed, and taught, and fed them.
3. The falling of others (in sin or in sickness) should stir us on to give ourselves that much more to the Lord and His work.

CONCLUSION: Are you allowing any habitual sin to linger in your life and minimize your effectiveness for God? What are your secret sins? Are you ready for where they will lead you? If you do not stop sin, it will not stop growing and developing you your heart and life. It will eventually destroy you. Will you not repent and turn it over to the Lord today? Sin may be destroying you. What are you going to do about it? When?