‘Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of
John the Baptist."’ (Matthew 14:8)

The bible says in psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel
of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.”

It is clear from the story of Herodias in the Bible that she had a strong aversion to John the Baptist as he had made it clear that her relationship with King Herod was immoral.  She wanted revenge for the slandering of her name.  We are not told whether Salome had any feeling towards John the Baptist, was just indifferent or was just being a dutiful daughter in asking her mother what she should request after having danced for her uncle, the King.  But we do know that the request that her mother prompted her to make was fatal and caused the shedding of innocent blood.

We have all been in the position of Salome when we have a decision to make and are indifferent about the outcome we can go to friends and/or family and then have the added pressure of feeling allegiance to that person and follow their advice (prompting).  I believe that’s what the bible means by standing in the way of sinners the amplified says “…nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.”

We can learn from Salome that being ‘submissive and inactive’ in such a situation is as bad as committing the act ourselves.  Therefore it is important as women of God to develop discernment.  There will be times when we need advice or prompting and sometimes we’ll get it without asking.

However, thanks to the sacrifice that Jesus made we have the prompting of the Holy Spirit and with that the ability to say no to the counsel of the wicked.  As well as discern whether the counsel of the Godly is in fact God’s will for us at that particular time.