The feeling of having been betrayed is very deeply devastating. This especially when it is perpetrated by someone you thought had been a 'best friend,' or even a close family member - certainly our Dad, Mom or sibling, or our 'bestie' would NOT betray us.
Well, it did and does happen and that's awful! So sorry if it has happened to you!
Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for money. There was no repentance, only remorse and he came to a very sad end. We can appreciate then that Jesus turned what was meant to harm Him into a mammoth saving grace for all mankind!
Gossipers add to betrayal. Someone did not keep your secret and therefore the news spread and it got back to you. Deborah Smith Pegues in her book 30 Days to Taming YOUR Tongue says that betrayal is worse than gossip because it is more deliberate and personal and designed to hurt somone.
Proverbs 11:13 NIV declares,
"A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret."
As a follower of Jesus Christ, let's learn to be more trustworthy and keep our lips sealed. By way of illustration in how we can do this I have used the following anecdote before but I believe it to be useful here too.
One time in a Sunday School lesson, a brother told us who were children at the time, "God put two sets of gates on your mouth. One set is your lips and the other is your teeth. You have to open your lips AND teeth in order to let the words out clearly." These two sets of 'gates' remind us to speak slowly and to be more careful of what we say. It is our choice to open or close these 'gates'.
Just like on a cattle, sheep or horse farm, you gotta keep those gates closed so the animals don't escape. So too, keep those 'gates' closed so the 'beastly' words do not escape.
I do remember well and it is not a pleasant memory of a time I had been betrayed by someone near and I thought, dear, to me. However, it was done and it took ages to be able to forgive that person. If we belong to the Lord, we do need to be able to forgive the betrayer even if he or she never repents or apologizes.
We must also be aware of ourselves. Do we cause another harm? Do I have 'betraying-another-tendencies'? Keep the betrayal-proof gates firmly shut in both our words and actions. Become a trustworthy person in whom others can safely confide.
Lord Jesus, You are The Word, who always speaks good and beneficial words to us. You never mis-speak. Your words and actions are always for our good, and definitely NOT to harm us. This is greatly appreciated. We give You our heartfelt thanks.
So saying, Lord, help me to keep watch over my lips and teeth; tame them, so that these 'gates' only open to speak good words, words of life to and about others. I ask in Your name, amen.
~ ERC May 2025 ~
Based on Proverbs 11:18 NIV and 30 Days to Taming YOUR Tongue, Day 12 The Betraying Tongue, by Deborah Smith Pegues.
Sing, Man of Sorrows, along with Reawaken.
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