Dear Friend, we all go through betrayal some point in time. God has put a burden in our heart to write about betrayal. Hence, today we will explore how to face betrayals in our life with grace. Whether you have gone through betrayals or not, we pray may God speak to you and prepare your life.
You can watch the message by clicking the below YouTube video.
A husband betrays and cheats his wife when he breaks the cardinal rule of the family and has an extramarital relationship with someone. The betrayal brings immeasurable pain to the wife. There are families in which the wife betrays the husband.
The children betray their parents in their old age by failing to care for them. Parents lovingly provide everything for their children. But the children forget all the good things they enjoyed when they were growing up. They leave their parents alone in loneliness by not taking care of them.
Employers betray their employees. When they do not need their employees, they send them away by providing meagre compensation. An employee feels the agony of betrayal when he gets laid off from the company after working sincerely for years.
There are people who were betrayed by scammers who promised attractive returns on their investments. There are some whose business partners have betrayed them. Others by their own family members.
Betrayal leaves a broken heart and a bitter soul. The Bible addresses betrayal from various perspectives.
Adam and Eve betrayed God’s love and care by eating the forbidden fruit. The nation of Israel betrayed God by worshipping the pagan gods.
Jacob betrayed his father and stole his father’s blessing. Laban betrayed Jacob by giving his first daughter, Leah, instead of Rachel after Jacob had worked for Rachel for seven years.
Alas, Jesus himself was betrayed by His own loving disciple Judas for just thirty pieces of silver. He endured the pain of betrayal, and the Bible extensively documents the betrayal in all four gospels.
The examples above from the Bible show we are all susceptible to betrayal.
Dear Friend, No one is immune to betrayal. Here are a few things that you can do about betrayal.
Have you betrayed someone?
First, we need to search our hearts and understand whether we have betrayed anyone.
The Bible says, We reap what we sow. Sometimes we do not realize it. There are times we knowingly or unknowingly betray others. God hates betrayal.
Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. – Galatians 6:7 NLT.
Dear friend, may the Holy Spirit reveal whether you have betrayed anyone in your life? Please do not resist the Holy Spirit. Let Him show you all the areas you need to reconcile. If you have caused another person heartache and pain by betraying them, please reconcile with God and the person whom you have betrayed. Give back anything you have taken from them. Please ask for forgiveness.
The Bible says we betray God when we do wrong to others.
Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If any of the people—men or women—betray the Lord by doing wrong to another person, they are guilty. – Numbers 5:6 NLT
Our lives cannot be a blessing to us and to others when we carry a sin and inherit the curse associated with it. Betraying others is a sin.
Have you betrayed God?
You might wonder whether it is even possible to betray God. Most of us do betray God in our everyday lives by breaking our covenants with Him.
We might go to Jesus and talk to him about all the betrayals we have gone through. But have we betrayed Jesus in our lives through our actions, words, and behavior?
The Lord said, But like Adam, you broke my covenant and betrayed my trust. – Hosea 6:7 NLT.
We betray God when we disobey Him. He has done so much for us. He has died for us on the cross. But we end up betraying God when we sin against Him. There are bold sins that are done knowingly with the full knowledge that God hates them with all His heart. By doing this, we betray God.
Please ask forgiveness if you have sinned knowingly or unknowingly. Please invite Jesus into your life. Tell Him that you are sorry for what you have done. Tell Him that you will never betray Him again. Jesus will forgive you.
How to avoid betrayals in life?
King David was about to be betrayed in the land of Keilah (1 Samuel 23). He saved the people of Keilah from the Philistine army. After defeating the Philistines, he stayed in Keilah. Saul, who was chasing David to kill him, heard that he was in Keilah. His army started moving towards Keilah to capture David.
Now David enquires of God what He should do and whether the people of Keilah, whom He had protected, will betray him. The Lord said the people of Keilah would betray him. Hence, David moved away from Keilah.
Again David asked, “Will the leaders of Keilah betray me and my men to Saul?” And the Lord replied, “Yes, they will betray you.” – 1 Samuel 23:12 NLT.
The above incident clearly shows how David protected himself against betrayal. We can avoid betrayal in our lives by listening to God’s words.
Jesus can help us avoid falling for scams. He can protect our family and keep us close to each other so no one betrays another. He can warn us and guard our lives, jobs, wealth, family, and physical and mental health, so that we do not fall prey to deception and betrayal.
How to go through betrayal?
The last portion of the message is the most difficult part. There are times we need to accept betrayal and go through it. It will test our patience and the very character of who we are.
The Holy Spirit will teach us whether God is allowing the betrayal in our lives or whether we are going through it because of our shortcomings.
Jesus went through betrayal. He accepted betrayal knowingly for the greater glory of God’s kingdom.
When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table with the Twelve. While they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” – Matthew 26:20 NLT.
Jesus knew very well that he would be betrayed. He knew that His dear disciple, whom He had chosen, was going to be the one who was going to betray Jesus.
Jesus welcomed the betrayer and embraced him for the greater glory of God’s kingdom.
Then he (Jesus) came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!” – Matthew 26:45,46 NLT.
There are times in our lives when God allows us to go through betrayal for the glory of God. He allows it so that our lives can be molded and shine better for His glory.
Why so much betrayal around us?
We are living in the last days. Jesus warned us that betrayal among men is going to be common.
Jesus said:
“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. – Matthew 20:18 NLT
Paul warned Timothy about men who betray each other in the last days.
They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. – 2 Timothy 3:4 NLT
Dear Friend, Are you going through betrayal in your life? Have you betrayed Jesus in your life through your actions?
Jesus wants to help you. He wants to forgive you for your past sins. He wants to guard your life from betrayal and protect you. If you are already going through betrayals in life, then He can strengthen you, comfort you, and help you come out of it.
Jesus wants to speak to you today. Please place your hand on your heart and call upon the name of Jesus. Pray the following prayer from the bottom of your heart.
Dear Jesus, thank you for teaching me about betrayal today. You have gone through the pain of betrayal and died on the cross just for me. You are the God of heaven and earth. You do not need to go through betrayal. But you did it so that I can face the betrayals in my life confidently.
Jesus, please forgive me. I have betrayed you many times in my life. I have disobeyed and sinned. I have gone far away from you. Please forgive me. I will never do it again. I will never betray you.
Jesus, help me avoid all betrayals in my life by consulting you in every decision. Please help me, as you helped King David, to avoid betrayal. Help me have a closer walk with you and prevent the betrayal and the associated heartaches. In Jesus’s mighty name, I pray. Amen.
Dear Friend, Jesus loves you. He wants to help you all through the ups and downs of your life. Please continue to hold on to Him.
