Bunmi Banjo

Betrayal is defined as the treacherous exposing or deceiving of people by those they formerly trusted. It is usually associated with an enemy masquerading as a friend, or with a broken or abused relationship.

Psalm 55:12-14 – “For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng…”

Trust takes time. It takes time to invest your confidence in another person.

Betrayal is an abuse of trust. It is especially very painful because it often comes from a seemingly unlikely or unexpected source – a friend or family.
Hence the feeling of betrayal runs quite deep and can destabilize. It can affect the state of our heart mostly because it meets one unprepared and leaves you in a state of shock…like a sting from a snake!

Yet we need our hearts to be buoyant in our process of transformation. Proverbs 4:23

Is it possible to avoid betrayal in life?
Painful it may be but the answer is No!
At one point in time or the other, if we really live life well, with our hearts engaged in relationships with others, we will encounter betrayal or we too, might betray someone close to us knowingly or unknowingly.

Why do people betray others?
– Money
– Power
– Jealousy

– Judas, a trusted disciple who had followed Jesus for over 3 years betrayed Him and handed Him over to his accusers for 30 pieces of silver.
– Absalom, the son of David betrayed him to steal the kingdom from him.
– Delilah, Samson’s lover betrayed him to his enemies, the Philistines.

These are evidence that betrayal of trust is usually from very close quarters – a protégée, a child, a lover or spouse.
Man has the tendency to be unfaithful.

Psalm 41:9 GWT – Even my closest friend whom I trusted, the one who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

I submit to you that the only person who can never betray us is God because His nature is faithfulness.

Psalm 89:33 – But I will not break off My lovingkindness from him, Nor deal falsely in My faithfulness.

How then do we handle betrayal?

Love your neighbor but realize every man across the board has the propensity to betray you. Man is fickle in his feelings and therefore unpredictable.

Jeremiah 17:9 NLT – “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is”

Psalm 55:20 – He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken His covenant. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.

Put your trust in God. He is the most stable force and friend. Proverbs 18:24

Psalm 118:8 – It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

In dealing with the burden of betrayal; The advise of the Psalmist is found in the 22nd verse:

Psalm 55:22 – “Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved”

If you have experienced betrayal from close quarters, family or friend, I would like to encourage you. Don’t be depressed about it. Remember the frailty of man and put your absolute trust in God.

He will work all things together for your good.
Romans 8:28

Remain focused on your transformation!