How True A Friend Are You?

How True A Friend Are You? Dear Faithful One, Have you ever trusted someone as a friend only to discover they had ill intentions towards you? How devastating to know that those who act loving in front of us have hidden agendas and that the only reason they had a relationship with us was because of what they hoped to gain from us. Did you know that Jesus had enemies who pretended to be friends? Let's learn some insight from God's Word on how to rise above the disappointment of friends who turn out to be an enemy. 1. Matthew 2:7-8 reads: Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." Observe the reason Herod gave for desiring to search for the child. He projected a false front. He acted as if he was on the same team as the Magi. In the same way that they were looking for the child to worship Him, Herod said he too wanted to worship the child. Oh Faithful One, those who pretend to be a friend will often act as if they are on your team. We know from how the story unfolded that Herod had no intentions of worshipping the child. His intentions were to kill Jesus. Let's look at the reason why. 2. Matthew 2:1-3 reads: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. Did you see the words "When King Herod heard this he was disturbed."? Why was he disturbed? Let's read further in Matthew 2:4-8. Matthew 2:4-6 reads: When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" NIV Observe the words "for out of you will come a ruler." Herod wanted to kill Jesus because he was threatened. In the same way, those who stab us in the back are often those who either want our position or are afraid that we might want theirs. The moral of the story is this: It's hard to be friends with those who want what you have. 3. Those who pretend to be a friend will keep the charade as long as they stand a chance to get what they really want. But once they see they won't reach their goal, they reveal their true self. Matthew 2:16- 17 reads: When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. NIV Oh Faithful one, observe how Herod did not care how many people he hurt. He was willing to kill all the boys in Bethlehem who were around two years old. If you are in a relationship with someone who is two- faced, realize you are in the company of someone who is emotionally volatile and has the potential to cause you great harm. Notice how God led the Magi to play along with Herod's request until they were at a safe distance. Then Matt 2:12 tells us, "And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route." NIV Observe that God does not lead us to always confront evil. There are times when the wisest thing to do is to play dumb and then to secretly slip away from those who are using us for their own ambition. 4. Did you notice that friends who betray are the bookends of Jesus' life? Herod was there at the beginning and Judas was there at the end. Matt 26:14- 16 reads: Then one of the Twelve-the one called Judas Iscariot-went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. NIV Did you notice that the friends who betray usually do so because of either power or money? In life, there will be those around us who are enamored with titles and position. In Herod's case, he didn't exist for God and God's timetable. He was more interested in guarding his position as ruler. In Judas' case, he was not satisfied with the financial returns for his time and service. So he negotiated for himself and traded Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. 5. With regard to the betrayal, Jesus said in Mark 14:21, "The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." Although Jesus suffered the consequences of betrayal, God had already woven the story to end in victory. Jesus died but God used His death to save the world. Judas, on the other hand, went down in history as the one who betrayed Jesus. Oh Faithful One, when you are in the midst of an enemy who pretends to be a friend, tread lightly. There is wisdom at times with just going with the flow until you are at a safe distance. If you are suffering the consequences of someone who has stabbed you in the back, realize that when you are in God's will, God is in charge of how the story will end. Although Jesus suffered the consequences, God made sure the story ended well. Herod was God's enemy because he wanted his own agenda and would not submit to God's timing and purpose. Judas was God's enemy because he was not willing to sacrifice for the gospel. He had his own ideas for his financial compensation. What about you? Do you pretend to be God's friend? As this year ends and another begins, how will your name go down in spiritual history? I pray this devotion blessed you in a special way. When I pray for you, I hear a victory song. I believe in you because I believe in the power of God's Word revealed in you as you put God's Word into action.

Betrayel from one in Christ is the most difficult thing to recover from for certain. Wether that person be a close family member, spouse or friend. But we must remind ourselves that the person was a tool of the devil, who has harmful intent. Holding the individual accountable is vital to a healthy walk with the Lord, and forgiveness after true repentence a must. But, we must remember that we have the Holy Spirit to guide us. I seek him more than ever to guide me today. For I am a fool and will open the door to foolishness all too often. Thank you sister for posting, it was a blessing to me. Happy New Year with a Christ centred celebration, Sally

Letty, thank you for sharing this~ moving this weekend, for the 2nd time in 4 months, and no one to help... is quite a reminder of where friends are. I have had the pain of betrayal by some I thought were my friends, in secular and Christian life/friends. I never thought of it though, as how we could betray Christ Jesus. We say we couldn't,yet when we as our Abba Father's children, don't do things in a Christ like manner or image, are we a bit betraying to Him? I have heard nonbelievers say in reference to Christian behaviours/acts... if that is what a Christian is like, I will stay the way I am. Let us always remember that our actions speak loudly, even more so than our words. God bless~