Sermon Central
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Healing Heart Wounds Part 3 - Betrayal & Deception Series
Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Aug 18, 2018 (message contributor)
Summary: Betrayal is a demon spirit. We know this because it acts the same, uses the same phrases and its patterns are the same anywhere in the world. Anyone, who is NOT paying attention spiritually, can fall prey to this demonic spirit.
7 All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
8 An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.
9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
BETRAYAL ILLUSTRATIONS:
The Death of Julius Caesar
No treachery is worse than betrayal by a family member or friend. Julius Caesar knew such treachery. Among the conspirators who assassinated the Roman leader on March 15, 44 was Marcus Junius Brutus. Caesar not only trusted Brutus, he had favored him as a son. According to Roman historians, Caesar first resisted the onslaught of the assassins. But when he saw Brutus among them with his dagger drawn, Caesar ceased to struggle and, pulling the top part of his robe over his face, asked the famous question, "You too, Brutus?”
DEFINITION OF BETRAYAL
Synonyms of betrayal - disloyalty, treachery, bad-faith, faithlessness, falseness, duplicity, deception, double-dealing.
1. To lead astray; especially to seduce
2. To deliver to an enemy by treachery
3. To fail or desert especially in time of need
4. To disclose in violation of confidence
• Betrayal is a demon spirit. We know this because it acts the same, uses the same phrases and its patterns are the same anywhere in the world.
• Anyone, who is NOT paying attention spiritually, can fall prey to this demonic spirit.
I. HOW THE SPIRIT OF BETRAYAL IS WELCOMED INSIDE OF A PERSON.
1. Faking Friendship (Opportunist do this all the time)
2. The prerequisite to betrayal is a fault-finding spirit. (Have you ever been around someone who couldn’t be pleased no matter what? Chances are they will betray you if they are not delivered.)
• Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
3. False Accusations & Misrepresentations (misinterpreting a truth on purpose) Shifting blame and trying to make the betrayed look like a betrayer.
• Satan is a Liar - John 8:44 (Father of Lies)
• Satan is a Deceiver - 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 (Disguises himself and his followers disguise themselves as “Servants of Righteousness.”)
• Satan is a Destroyer - 1 Peter 5:8 (Goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.)
4. Severance, Abandonment, Desertion
5. Full on Assault (Spreading Lies, Character Assassination etc) for personal gain.
6. Trying to “spiritualize their demonic activity.”
7. Rejoicing and/or gloating in the pain they have caused others.
• The goal of the Spirit of Betrayal is to incapacitate you and cause you to live out your days in misery.
II. WISDOM FOR THE BETRAYED
• Robert Cook, President of King’s College once related a true story from the early years of his ministry. Evidently at that time, he had been receiving some rather pointed criticism. In fact, it had become of such great concern to him that he sought the counsel of a friend, the beloved Bible expositor and pastor, Harry A. Ironside. Pouring out his heart, Bob Cook asked what he should do about the denunciations being made against him. He wanted to know how to handle them. Ironside gave the following wise counsel: "Bob, if the criticism about you is true, mend your ways! If it isn't, forget about it!"
1. Never feel guilty about being betrayed. You didn’t do this to yourself. You are under demonic attack… See it for what it is!
2. Understand that you are not the only one who has ever been betrayed even though it seems that way.
3. Guard your heart. It’s not always wisdom to share your most intimate concerns with all of your friends.
• Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
4. Quit caring so much about what people think of you.
5. Be a good forgiver.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
6. Pray for your enemies
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
