“As bad as an enemy can be, something worse than an enemy is a traitor.” (J.J. Rawlings). A traitor is one who betrays a friend, country, cause, or principle. Such a person is a Judas, betrayer, a sellout, or a backstabber.
The most cruel thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemy. It comes from your friend. And that makes the treacherous deed extremely painful. It’s far better to have an enemy slap you in the face than a friend stab you in the back.
King David experienced betrayal: “My best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me” (Psalm 41:9; NLT). He describes his pain: “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.” (Psalm 55:12-14; NIV).
Betrayers or backstabbers are found within trusted relationships: Among close friends, family members, partners in business, associates in an organization, fellow compatriots, believers in the faith community, and among colleagues in ministry (cf. Job 19:19, 13-14; 2 Corinthians 11:26).
Traitors are more dangerous than your real enemies because, while pretending to be your friends, like Judas, they will sell you to the highest bidder for their 30 pieces of silver. They will turn against you and even kill you because of their greed, envy, jealousy, or some deep-seated hatred.
Have you been betrayed by someone you trusted or loved dearly? By someone with whom you shared your deepest thoughts, affections, and even secrets? Someone who was once very close to you, but who later turned round, teamed up with your adversaries, and stabbed you in the back?
There is no need for bitterness, hate, or retaliation. Christ understands your pain, for He Himself was also cruelly betrayed. And if you’re willing, He will heal your stab wounds. Simply do what David did: After lamenting that “my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me,” David immediately turned to God and cried out for His mercy and deliverance from the treachery. And the Lord heard him! (Psalm 41:9-13).
Your betrayers or traitors will not have the last word. God will! And with God’s help, YOU also will triumph over your backstabbers—over your fake friends and “false brethren.” YOU will heal from the cancer of betrayal. And YOU will sing with the psalmist: “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and amen!” (Psalm 41:13.)—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim
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SAMUEL KORANTENG-PIPIM,PH.D. , is a US-based Ghanaian author, inspirational speaker, leadership trainer, and an advocate for youth empowerment. He was trained in engineering and systematic theology, and has authored more than twenty books. They include his bestselling works Hope Through the Dark, Six More Chances, Healed Wounds but Ugly Scars, and Patience in the Midst of Trials and Afflictions. Dr. Pipim currently directs two Centers for Leadership Development known as EAGLES (Empowerment & Advisory Group for Leadership, Excellence, & Service) and ANANSE (African Network & Advisory for Needed Services & Excellence). www.EAGLESonline.org. He also serves as a special consultant on Bible projects for Remnant Publications. 