We’ve all felt that sense of betrayal
Where we have had someone we trusted turn on us
Someone we thought would be there and had our best interests at heart
We know of the betrayal of Judas
Who sold our Lord for 30 pieces of silver
This scripture also showed a sense of betrayal:
“And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” John 6:65&66
That must’ve hurt Jesus
I wonder how many disciples there were that walked away and left only 12
and only 11 faithful ones
I had an experience this past week where I was betrayed
It was not pleasant
It was not fun
Hence the term frenemies was applicable
This was a very close friend who had harbored much anger over many years
This person pointed out many faults and exposed the deepest,
most intimate parts of my heart that I had shared with her
and trampled them
and if that weren’t enough,
she let me know how ugly my faults were,
she pointed out every bad quality I had, especially those I had shared with her
To not want to be another’s friend is understandable, to pretend and harbor such feelings of anger and rage were what surprised me
My heart was judged,
not just my deeds but my intentions
Who can see intentions but God Himself?
This friend’s anger and hatred was raging during her rampage
She pointed out that she was not able to see any good in me
That I should do as she does and be more like her
she kept coming at me with vile descriptions of how I felt
I was very misunderstood
I ask again: Who can see intentions but God Himself?
I am not interested in measuring up to any person’s model of who I should be
We have to be careful though, to take correction and weigh it
Correction can be hard and honesty can wound
However, correction can be healing and cleansing to our souls
and can even be received from our enemies
If there is no life in it and no way to escape the harsh judgment that has been laid on you if you know it is not from God
When God corrects us, even from an enemy, He always gives a hand up,
a way to attain a better self, how to have hope to overcome in spite of our faults
If you do hear judgment, always take it to the Lord to ask if He is using this person or situation to teach you something, about yourself or otherwise
In other words, be open to correction
but learn to recognize the difference between correction and condemnation
Paul agreed with his faults. He did not say he didn’t have any, nor did he try to excuse them, he just realized he was human
Being human does not excuse us to do sin or to hurt people or to not be kind, not have self-control, etcetera, but it’s a reminder that we are human and with Christ, we can work on our faults and commit our weaknesses to Him
We must be gracious to ourselves
We also must be gracious to others
We must be forgiving to ourselves
and treat others the way we wish to be treated
and not expect perfection
Without Christ, there is no perfection
Forgiveness has been sought and given to this frenemy
I am at a loss
I feel I have given this relationship much and she trampled my pearls
I am not interested in sharing my heart with her any longer
She is no longer a friend
I wish her well and wished she wouldn’t have felt the way she does
I cannot change her feelings
I’m glad the Lord let me see what was in her heart,
even though it was very difficult,
to be able to see those things she has been hiding for many years
I am an imperfect creation
We all are
There is not one of us who in our flesh,
apart from the Lord, has any goodness whatsoever
Forgive her, Lord Jesus, for she knows not what she does
Scriptural References:
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. Matthew 27:3
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Proverbs 27:6
My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction Proverbs 3:11
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. Proverbs 12:1
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Hebrews 12:7
Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit? 1 Corinthians 4:21
Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:5-10
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Matthew 7:6
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
Romans 14:10
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Philippians 4:5
And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:31