A few years ago, one of my long time friends was moved to a position of great authority in Washington, D.C. In fact, after the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 he was regularly on national news. He personally met with the President of the United States every morning that the President was in town. My friend was and is a great man of God. Every morning after his meeting with the President, he would have a Bible study with his immediate staff.
Once, while Loretta and I were at a prayer conference at the Hyatt Hotel in Washington, he called and asked if we could come to his office and participate in the morning Bible study with his staff. What an honor it was to sit with a national leader and hear him as he required his entire staff to memorize and quote a complete Psalm. They shared testimonies and it was a precious time. Truly God has placed godly men and women in high places and we must remember to pray for them.
His staff left after the Bible lesson and we had a few moments of personal time. He gave us some prayer requests for his family. Then he made an interesting statement. He said he knew when he moved to Washington there would be enemies and that there would be those who would attempt to destroy him and push him out of office. He knew that there would be opposition because he knew that we have an enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. But he said that the thing that surprised him the most was when people betrayed him who he thought were his friends and his allies.
I am sure that you can relate to this. One thing that has become common today is betrayal and desertion. Yes, there have been many attacks from the enemy and these attacks from the kingdom of darkness come as no surprise. Of course, we expect attacks from the enemy. However, we are rarely prepared and often caught off guard by the attacks that come from within our own group of friends, family, and co-workers.
Today I want to remind you that for every attack that the enemy brings, whether it be from the outside or inside, God has already empowered you with sufficient grace to outlast and overcome the enemy. Not only has He equipped us with sufficient weapons, but He has published the final outcome for all of earth and the heavenly hosts to see.
Jesus had a close group of twelve friends. They were hand-picked and trained by Him. Throughout all of Galilee they traveled together assisting Him as He ministered. As thousands of people pressed in to touch Jesus, they were His protection and shielded Him from the massive crowds.
Yet, when the soldiers showed up with their torches and swords to arrest Jesus, they were led by one of His inner circle. And to insure that the soldiers arrested the right person, Judas walked up and sealed the fate of Jesus with a kiss of friendship.
By definition betrayal must be exercised by someone who is close and trusted. I've heard it said that you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer. The truth is that not everyone who calls you "friend," actually is your friend.
Recently, at a ministers' conference, one of the speakers said, "Beware of people who say, ‘I'm standing with you and I will never leave you,' because they are probably the next family to leave your church." Although the speaker was trying to be humorous, I noticed the room full of pastors smiling, nodding, and looking at each other. Obviously, they understood what the speaker was saying very well.
Loyalty and character are two characteristics that must be taught and observed in the church. People may have betrayed you, but it must stop there. You cannot continue this cycle by allowing the hurts and anger inside of you.
The Bible clearly tells us that we are to put away hurts, offenses, and thoughts of revenge. Jesus is our Avenger and we must let Him do His work. We are commanded to walk in forgiveness, to walk in faith, and to walk in love. And this cannot be done if we are offended and continually rehearsing the betrayals we have experienced.
Walking away from hurts and offenses does not acknowledge that the person who has betrayed you is right, nor that you condone anything that they have done. It simply cleans your heart so that you can clearly hear from God and accomplish what God is calling you to do.
So the next time you experience a betrayal, don't attempt to negotiate and appease the enemy. Walk in love and forgiveness. Of course, we should attempt to restore relationships through love and forgiveness . However, you cannot control and manipulate other people. If restoration is unattainable, stop wasting your time. Do not allow the enemy to emotionally destroy you. Continue to walk in love, forgiveness, and joy and consider saying, "Goodbye!"
Scripture References:
"Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:17-18)
"No one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified." (1 Thessalonians 4:6)
"He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed." (Proverbs 13:20)
"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:1-2)
Devotion 0533