The Bearings of Betrayal

If you did not know, the word salvation appears over 160 times in the Bible, hope appears more than 120 times in the King James Version of the Bible, faith is used 247 times, and trust 134 times. You would not argue with the fact that all these words are absolutely vital in the Christian faith. It is nearly impossible to say you’re a Christian without having these words deeply embedded in your life: salvation, hope, faith, and trust.

Yet there’s another word, which is also crucial, that’s mentioned around 120 times in the New Testament and over 200 in the Greek Old Testament. This word, though perhaps not as exhilarating, is equally important: betray. In Greek, it is paradidōmi, and in Hebrew, betrayal, or transgression, can be considered pešaʿ (or pesha). Let me pause here to delve into some biblical truths before we examine a phenomenon I have observed that has devastated many believers’ faith. Conversely, I have also seen legends in the faith overcome this very challenge.

Pesha, in the Old Testament, describes a betrayal of relationships. This term applies to various relational breaches, such as two nations with a broken treaty or friends who break trust. In contemporary terms, this could be seen as brothers and sisters in the body of Christ breaking trust. Moreover, the Old Testament categorizes theft generally as robbery, but if such an act is committed by a neighbor, it is specifically termed pesha, indicating a deeper layer of betrayal.

Betrayal—just like trust, hope, and faith—is inevitable in the life of every believer. True betrayal can only occur when it is from someone close to you. Sadly, we weren’t taught this in Sunday school, and most sermons today guide us to avoid betrayal rather than teach us how to overcome it. In fact, many of today’s sermons on betrayal more closely resemble the talks of motivational speakers, filled with new age philosophy, rather than providing a biblical framework for overcoming betrayal.

We are often taught to leave behind toxic people and toxic thoughts to build a life of serenity and peace, as though peace is something that can be achieved through our own efforts. We forget that He is the Prince of Peace and He offers peace that surpasses all understanding.

While I am not advocating that you stay in harmful situations, what I am suggesting is that you cannot control every adverse circumstance in your life. If you try to control everything, you are likely to find yourself miserable. As believers, we must learn how to die daily to the aspects of life that continue to challenge our faith.

If this is the first time that you’re hearing this, let it sink in: As a Christian, you will face betrayal. And not just from strangers or unbelievers but from those closest to you—because true betrayal can only come from within your circle. That’s what makes it so deeply hurtful. My friend, if you’re able to die to the fear of betrayal, you will live out faith for a lifetime.

Let’s start by stating this clearly: Betrayal wasn’t tucked away in the fine print when we accepted Christ. Jesus explicitly warned that the world would hate us, stating it would be brother against brother and that we would face false accusations (Matt. 10:21; 5:11). He was upfront about the reality that betrayal would be a common part of our Christian journey, evidenced by whom He allowed into His inner circle. Even knowing Judas’ future betrayal, Jesus kept him close, shared meals with him, and even allowed Judas the intimate act of kissing Him on the cheek toward the end of His life. I don’t know about you, but to me, that seems pretty contrary to what today’s culture suggests.

Jesus wasn’t trying to avoid betrayal; instead, He was overcoming it. Betrayal came from close friends, from the public’s opinions of Him, and from religious leaders who chose to spare a notorious criminal over an innocent man. How do we come to grips with the reality that betrayal is inevitable, and how do we prevent such betrayals from jading our hearts? What do we do when betrayals cut deep and come from those closest to us? How do we respond? And how do we remain steadfast when the pain seems unbearable?

From Genesis through to the New Testament, we witness numerous betrayals. From Satan’s betrayal of God and Eve to the fraternal betrayal between Cain and Abel to Joseph and his brothers, to Saul and David, and Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, the scriptural narrative is rife with betrayal across various relationship dynamics. Betrayal knows no bounds; it respects neither position nor title. It cannot be avoided by mere holiness, as evidenced by the life of Jesus, nor can it be dispelled through diligent scripture reading, prayer, fasting, or casting out.

Betrayal is like an oncoming wave in the ocean—you cannot run from it without risking being smashed by the water, nearly drowning. The only thing you can do is confront the wave directly, diving into it at the perfect angle and emerging on the other side refreshed and invigorated.

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