In the discussion of yesterday’s devotional, we saw how three most famous betrayers carried out their treacherous characters. A man by name, Paul Tautges in his article titled “Jesus Knows the Pain of Betrayal More than Anyone” described betrayal as “The treacherous exposing or deceiving of people by those they formerly trusted.” This puts a betrayer as an associate, closest friend, household member, one who someone trusted or one who seems being loyal to another person. The hidden truth here, according to Paul Tautges, is that a betrayer usually associates with heart of an enemy masquerading as friend. This means your betrayer plays dual role, by being very close to you but associating with your enemies for selfish gains. As Christians, we are to be cautioned that not everyone close to us, claiming to be a brother or a sister should be believed totally on the surface. In the present world, many are being killed, kidnapped, scammed or had their businesses sold out to unseen partners by one.pretending to be faithful partner.
In our cyberspace as Christians, there are clear evidences that it is usually a household person who betrays. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers (Genesis 37: 12 – 36). Samson was betrayed by his supposed wife, Delilah (Judges 16: 18). Prophet Jeremiah was betrayed by his fellow prophets (Jeremiah 12: 6) and David was betrayed by his son Absalom and his closest adviser, Ahithophel; to mention but few. The main target of your household betrayer is to take your life, or stops you from accomplishing your destiny. Today’s devotional aims at cautioning readers on how not to absolutely trust anyone getting too close for any reasom. We must use what God says in the Bible that “The hearts of man is desperately wicked, who can discern them” (Jer. 17: 9) as a guiding wisdom in life. We must agree that it is better to save oneself from the pains of betrayal than fallen into it sheepishly.
The pains of been betrayed encompasses emotional, psychological as well as Spiritual. Besides all these, betrayal results to a deadly disillusionment in life. We can feel King David’s disillusionment resulting from betrayal in Psalm 55: 12 – 14. Most nations’ Heads of States who died by coupes were betrayed by their closest Aides. Most often, betrayal ends up taking one’s life. Samson did not escape it. Many Heads of States did not escape it. Many business men and women have been killed through collaborations of household betrayers and their enemies. It is sad that many Christians have lost their lives and properties by failure to discern dangerous signals from their “so called brethren.” There is a place for Christian trust and faith. Also, we must give serious place to Divine Wisdom while associating with people. Our LORD Jesus predicted that one of the events of the signs of the end of the world will be betraying one another and hating one another (Matt. 24: 10).
TAKING ACTION:
Look back into some disappointments had over engagement in marriage, business failures, loss of monies, disclosure of your most secret thing in life etc. How did you get there? Who could have betrayed you? Pray for God’s restoration and ability to recover from the negative outcome of it all in Jesus name.
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch