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BETRAYAL Have you ever been betrayed? Have you ever been the object of malicious gossip and unfounded lies? How would you feel when, even those you have trusted and helped, have turned against you? How do you handle people with insecurities who are prepared to stab you in the back through idle talk or intentional rumors for the sake of their own advancement? How do you act in a working world where there are no loyalties, no fair play and endless mind games and innuendos? Do you, as a Christian, take a stand and refuse to do what is unjust or immoral or do you follow the crowd and since you can not "beat " them you "join" them? Do you do the right thing and thereby you suffer the consequences? And again, how do you respond when your sense of justice is viewed as weakness? Have you ever gone to bat for somebody that not many people liked because they had never bothered to know the real person or his troubles and then been accused by them that your kindness was only shown because that person must have had some "dirt" on you? Would you get outraged and how would you handle it when you know that you run the risk of being labeled a madman ? Many of us have been in most of these predicaments but, I believe that, only the very few have acted in a manner which would be pleasing to our heavenly father. An old Greek proverb says : "H glwssa kokkala den ecei kai kokkala tsakizei" "The tongue has no bones and yet it breaks bones" This is precisely what a loose tongue can do: it can ruin people's reputations, careers and lives. What does the Bible have to say about the subject? The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. [Proverbs 18:8] A man of twisted purposes is a cause of fighting everywhere: and he who says evil secretly makes trouble between friends. [Proverbs 16:28] 2 Purposing destruction, using deceit; your tongue is like a sharp blade. 3 You have more love for evil than for good, for deceit than for works of righteousness. (Selah.) 4 Destruction is in all your words, O false tongue. 5 But God will put an end to you for ever; driving you out from your tent, uprooting you from the land of the living. (Selah.) [Psalm 52:2-5] It is indeed very comforting to know that our God is a just God and the wicked evil doers and slanderers will be "uprooted" and punished for their crimes unless they repent and ask the Father for forgiveness. IS 55:7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Furthermore, when we have the love of God in our hearts and are mindful of His commandments, we need "not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults" [ Isaiah 51:7]. Nevertheless, we should not underestimate the power of the feelings which are stirred inside us when men accuse us wrongfully and are committing injustices against us. It is especially critical at these sensitive times that we refrain from evil and resist the temptation to seek revenge. As I am going through some related struggles, I am torn inside not knowing where to draw the line: where does the need to defend myself and my actions stop and the seeking of revenge begin? I know that God's word assures me that revenge is His and His alone but do I have the strength and wisdom to avoid bringing out the "dirt" which I may have on the ones who betrayed me? If I yield to temptation, I am not any different from the rest of the "crowd". But Lord, I hurt so much and I need you desperately to shelter me and heal my broken heart. As I write these words, The Spirit of the Lord reminds me of what King David had to endure and flashes of Christ's betrayal in the garden of Gethsemane are running through my head. I open my electronic BibleDatabase and I start the search: "shelter", "wings", "betray", "forgive"...... PS 31:20 In the shelter of your presence you will hide them from the plotting of man. You will keep them secretly in a dwelling away from the strife of tongues. PS 61:4 I will dwell in your tent forever. I will take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah. RUTH 2:12 Yahweh recompense your work, and a full reward be given you of Yahweh, the God of Israel, under whose wings you are come to take refuge. PS 17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; Hide me under the shadow of your wings, PS 36:7 How precious is your loving kindness, God! The children of men take refuge under the shadow of your wings PS 61:4 I will dwell in your tent forever. I will take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah. PS 63:7 For you have been my help. I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings. My mind goes to the events preceding our Lord's crucifixion and as I search
the Gospels, I am drawn to the books of Luke and John: LK 22:21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. LK 22:22 The Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!" LK 22:48 But Jesus said to him, "Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?" JN 6:64 But there are some of you who don't believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn't believe, and who it was who would betray him. JN 6:71 Now he spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he who would betray him, being one of the twelve. JN 13:2 After supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, JN 13:11 For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, "You are not all clean." JN 13:21 When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, "Most assuredly I tell you that one of you will betray me." JN 18:2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often resorted there with his disciples. JN 18:5 They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I AM." Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them. It is very important to note the following: 1.Judas was one of the twelve disciples. 2.The devil put into his heart to betray Jesus. 3.Jesus was troubled in the spirit. 4.Jesus' calm response ["Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"] In many cases, it is one of our own family members, co-workers or friends who may become the betrayer of our feelings, of our trust and of our generosity. But we need to remember that this is the modus operandi of the Evil one. Like the scripture says, the devil put it in the heart of Judas to betray his master. Therefore, let us not forget that all of these people who have hurt us in the past, may have been duped by the enemy into believing that somehow they were in the right and that their actions were in some twisted way necessary as they pursued some sort of a higher goal of self promotion, career advancement or the like. Even though we are troubled and want to shout as loud as we can to expose the perpetrators, we need to go back to the Lord's prayer: Forgive us our sins just as we forgive those who sin against us; and don't let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.[ Matthew 6 : 11-13 ] Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ left this instruction for his followers and heirs to the kingdom of God. but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven...[ Matthew 5:44-45 ] Strengthen me oh Lord and guide me through the power of your Holy Spirit so that I may be willing to forgive those who offend me and that I live according to your principles so that when I come face to face with you on the day of your return, you may find me " a good and faithful servant ". Amen !
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