Mark 6:18-19 (NIV): "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."

History tells us how Herod was constantly suspicious, thinking anyone a likely conspirator ready to stir up a revolt against him. So when John the Baptist, a man who had drawn a following around himself and was unafraid to speak his mind, called Herod out on stealing his brother's wife, the king took exception. In truth, John was no threat; but Herod was offended by being wrapped over the knuckles, and he allowed that offence to brew inside him. Soon that resentment grew into bitter hatred and at the first opportunity he acted on it and John the Baptist's head was handed to him on a platter. Herod's nursed grudge over something John the Baptist said escalated into intense hatred that gave rise to a murderous act. Refusing to deal with sin in our lives and nursing our ill feelings towards others will lead to a downward spiral of irrational actions. By repenting and deciding to forgive, you can reverse this destructive condition, before it destroys your soul.