Betrayal
Introduction. We call it a betrayal when someone loved and trusted deceives or destroys another. It is a common theme in many tales of tragedy. William Shakespeare frequently used it in his plays, as did Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in his short stories about Sherlock Holmes. To this day, it still gets headlines in the paper because it is always shocking! It amazes decent, genuine and loyal people that someone could actually betray someone who loved or trusted them.
Some of the worst examples are found in Scripture. Satan taking the guise of a confidant and friend brought eternal destruction to Adam, Eve and all their children (Gen. 3; Jn. 8:44). Judas is infamous for his treacherous kiss (Mt. 26). And the old prophet’s lies to the young prophet led to his death (1K. 13). Jesus warned all to be on guard. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Mt. 7:15). “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit” (Col. 2:8). “In their greed they will exploit you with false words” (2Pet. 2:3). As Satan lied and murdered (Jn. 8:44), so “his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness” (2Cor. 11:15). Some are “speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron” (1Tim. 4:2). Paul told the entire Corinthian church of his “fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2Cor. 11:3-4). Some are even willing participants in this betrayal for “according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (2Tim. 4:3-4).
Yet as we read these passages, we are confident these words apply to others, never to us. I suspect nearly everyone reading this article has great confidence that unlike others, we are safe. So the Jews who rejected the gospel, felt great confidence that they were “a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law” (Rom. 2:19-20). Yet Paul had to tell them, “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Rom. 2:24). They were truly blinded. Like many today, they had “zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” (Rom. 10:2). Paul himself shows how easy it is to be confident yet still be deceived (Acts 26:9).
While we must do all we can for “those who are in opposition”, to help them “come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2Tim. 2:24-26). It is just as important we recognize we may be among those captives. As each puts “on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil,” we must be aware that these wiles may already be in our midst (Eph 6:10-18). Since “that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan,” “deceives the whole world” (Rev. 12:9), do we really think we could never be among them? God seeks a sense of caution and concern in all of us. Just as we lock the doors each night out of caution and wisdom, so with that same caution and wisdom we must assess our convictions and desires. We must “be sober, be alert; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” It is all because “we are not ignorant of his devices” (Cor. 2:11) and are aware of the danger of “unrighteous deception among those who are perishing” (2Th. 2:9-10).
Because we know “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Pr. 16:25), it is imperative we “test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1Th. 5:21). Every class, sermon, scripture reading and meditation is another opportunity to evaluate what we know and practice to be certain we are not deceived and betrayed.
Conclusion. I sometimes think of the “many” standing before the judgment seat of Christ, betrayed. Someone convinced them they “had prophesied in His name” and “done many wonders in Your name,” only to hear “I never knew you” from the lips of the Lord they believed they served. It happened to Adam and Eve, it happened to the young prophet, and to the church at Corinth. Don’t ever be lulled that it can never happen to me. It will be our own fault if we are deceived. We have been warned.
Some of the worst examples are found in Scripture. Satan taking the guise of a confidant and friend brought eternal destruction to Adam, Eve and all their children (Gen. 3; Jn. 8:44). Judas is infamous for his treacherous kiss (Mt. 26). And the old prophet’s lies to the young prophet led to his death (1K. 13). Jesus warned all to be on guard. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Mt. 7:15). “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit” (Col. 2:8). “In their greed they will exploit you with false words” (2Pet. 2:3). As Satan lied and murdered (Jn. 8:44), so “his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness” (2Cor. 11:15). Some are “speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron” (1Tim. 4:2). Paul told the entire Corinthian church of his “fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2Cor. 11:3-4). Some are even willing participants in this betrayal for “according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (2Tim. 4:3-4).
Yet as we read these passages, we are confident these words apply to others, never to us. I suspect nearly everyone reading this article has great confidence that unlike others, we are safe. So the Jews who rejected the gospel, felt great confidence that they were “a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law” (Rom. 2:19-20). Yet Paul had to tell them, “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Rom. 2:24). They were truly blinded. Like many today, they had “zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” (Rom. 10:2). Paul himself shows how easy it is to be confident yet still be deceived (Acts 26:9).
While we must do all we can for “those who are in opposition”, to help them “come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2Tim. 2:24-26). It is just as important we recognize we may be among those captives. As each puts “on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil,” we must be aware that these wiles may already be in our midst (Eph 6:10-18). Since “that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan,” “deceives the whole world” (Rev. 12:9), do we really think we could never be among them? God seeks a sense of caution and concern in all of us. Just as we lock the doors each night out of caution and wisdom, so with that same caution and wisdom we must assess our convictions and desires. We must “be sober, be alert; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” It is all because “we are not ignorant of his devices” (Cor. 2:11) and are aware of the danger of “unrighteous deception among those who are perishing” (2Th. 2:9-10).
Because we know “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Pr. 16:25), it is imperative we “test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1Th. 5:21). Every class, sermon, scripture reading and meditation is another opportunity to evaluate what we know and practice to be certain we are not deceived and betrayed.
Conclusion. I sometimes think of the “many” standing before the judgment seat of Christ, betrayed. Someone convinced them they “had prophesied in His name” and “done many wonders in Your name,” only to hear “I never knew you” from the lips of the Lord they believed they served. It happened to Adam and Eve, it happened to the young prophet, and to the church at Corinth. Don’t ever be lulled that it can never happen to me. It will be our own fault if we are deceived. We have been warned.
- Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding. (Pr. 23:23)