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THE KISS OF A JUDAS
This essay shines a prophetic light on the spiritual cost of brother turning against brother, revealing how gossip, slander, and spiritual manipulation fracture the very fellowship Yeshua died to establish.
With scriptural precision and heartfelt urgency, it calls the remnant to awaken, reconcile, and reclaim the purity of true discipleship before the final hour.
There is no wound quite like the one inflicted by a fellow believer—especially when that believer once stood beside you in prayer, ministry, and shared vision.
I have walked through the fire of betrayal, not at the hands of the world, but from within the very Body of Christ. These were not strangers or skeptics, but brothers and sisters who once broke bread with me, shared sacred spaces, and professed allegiance to the same Lord, Yeshua. Their words, once filled with encouragement, turned to slander. Their embrace, once warm with fellowship, grew cold with suspicion and silence, like the kiss of death. The pain of their rejection was not just personal—it was spiritual, cutting into the deepest places of trust and calling.
In these moments, I found myself clinging to the psalmist’s lament: “For it is not an enemy who taunts me—then I could bear it... But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend” (Psalm 55:12–13, ESV). The betrayal I endured was not merely a relational fracture; it was a spiritual assault that threatened to unravel the very fabric of my calling. Yet even in the ache, I have come to see that such suffering is not foreign to the path of my Messiah. Yeshua Himself was betrayed by one of His own, outside of John, even His other disciples. And so, this essay is not merely a recounting of wounds—it is a call to awaken, to discern, and to return to the sacred covenant of unity, truth, and love that defines the true Church.
Sadly, you may wrestle with the sting of betrayal within the Body of Christ, too. It’s a grief that doesn’t just bruise the heart—it shakes the soul, grieves your calling, and activates a choice.
When those who once stood beside you in worship, prayer, and shared mission turn away, speak falsely, or remain silent in the face of injustice, it creates a deep ache that words can scarcely express. What makes it even more painful is how common this has become in the Church today. Instead of being a sanctuary of grace and truth, many fellowships, online & off, have become battlegrounds of ego, division, and self-preservation. The very place meant to reflect the unity of Yeshua has, in many cases, mirrored the world’s brokenness. And yet, even in this, the Spirit calls us not to bitterness, but to deeper surrender, forgiveness, and a fierce commitment to love as He first loved us.
THE SIN OF BETRAYAL
Betrayal within the Body of Christ is not merely a personal offense—it is a grievous sin that strikes at the heart of covenant fellowship. When a believer turns against another through slander, abandonment, manipulation, or false accusation, they violate the sacred trust that binds the Church together in Yeshua. Scripture is clear that such acts are not only relational breaches but spiritual transgressions. Proverbs 6:16–19 (ESV) lists seven things the Lord hates, and among them are “a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” Betrayal does both. It distorts truth and fractures unity, often under the guise of righteousness or self-preservation.
Proverbs 6:16–19 (ESV):
1. Haughty eyes – Prideful, arrogant looks that elevate the self above others.
2. A lying tongue – Speaking falsehoods or deceit.
3. Hands that shed innocent blood – Acts of violence against the innocent.
4. A heart that devises wicked plans – Scheming evil in thought or intention.
5. Feet that make haste to run to evil – Eagerness to engage in wrongdoing.
6. A false witness who breathes out lies – Bearing false testimony, especially in judgment, making unjustified claims.
7. One who sows discord among brothers – Causing division and strife within the community, publicly attempting to condemn or silence others.
A betrayer within the Body of Christ is not merely indifferent to the Lord’s proclamations—they often twist them to justify their actions. Rather than being convicted by Scriptures that call for unity, humility, and reconciliation, they weaponize the Word to mask division as discernment, and slander as spiritual “truth-telling.” Like the Pharisees who used the Law to condemn the innocent, modern betrayers may quote Scripture out of context to validate their offense, elevate their own righteousness, or subtly discredit a brother or sister. In doing so, they become what Paul warned against: “men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:30, ESV).
Such individuals are not moved by the Lord’s hatred of “one who sows discord among brothers” (Proverbs 6:19, ESV), because they have convinced themselves of the demonic lie that their division is holy. They may cloak their betrayal in spiritual language, claiming to “stand for truth” while undermining the very unity Yeshua prayed for in John 17:21. This is not merely a relational offense—it is a spiritual deception that grieves the Spirit, replicates the Acuser of the Brethren, Satan, and fractures the witness of the Church. True discernment is marked by humility, love, and a longing for restoration—not by the need to be right at the expense of another’s reputation.
Yeshua Himself experienced betrayal from within—most notably by Judas, one of His own disciples. In Luke 22:48 (ESV), Yeshua asks, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”—a haunting reminder that betrayal often comes cloaked in familiarity and affection. Likewise, Paul warns the early Church in Acts 20:29–30 (ESV) that “fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” Betrayal is not just a matter of a broken relationship—it is a spiritual cancer that, if left unchecked, can devour the integrity and witness of the Church. It calls for repentance, restoration, and a return to the humility and love that mark true discipleship.
WE TOO MUST BE KISSED BY A JUDAS
To truly share in the sufferings of Yeshua, we too must be kissed by modern Judases—those who draw near with affection, only to wound with betrayal. Just as Yeshua was betrayed not by a stranger, but by a close companion who walked with Him, so too are we often pierced by those within the fold—fellow “believers” who once shared our prayers, our burdens, and our mission. This bitter kiss is not merely a personal trial; it is a sacred participation in the fellowship of Messiah’s sufferings (Philippians 3:10). It strips away illusions, tests the depth of our forgiveness, and presses us into the heart of the One who was despised and rejected by men. In this painful embrace, we are not abandoned—we are being conformed to the image of the Lamb, who was betrayed so that we might be redeemed.
Here are seven biblically grounded ways to respond when a professing believer demonstrates betrayal in your life. These steps are not easy—but they reflect the heart of Yeshua and protect your soul from bitterness while upholding truth and righteousness.
How to Handle a Betrayer Within the Body of Christ
* Discern the Spirit Behind the Action“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…” (1 John 4:1, ESV)Not every “Christian” operates by the Spirit of God. Ask the Lord for discernment to see whether their actions are rooted in pride, fear, jealousy, or deception. Betrayers are frequently the jealous type.
* Guard Your Heart Without Hardening It“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)Protect your mind from bitterness, but don’t allow betrayal to make you cynical or closed off to true fellowship.
* Confront in Truth and Love“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone…” (Matthew 18:15, ESV)Address the offense directly, humbly, and privately if possible. The goal is not vengeance, but restoration. However, betrayers are compelled to publicly reveal you, violating this Biblical guideline. They tend to do their “nasties” outside of church governance, functioning independently of spiritual authority.
* Refuse to Retaliate or Slander in Return“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless…” (1 Peter 3:9, ESV)Even when wronged, we are called to respond with grace. Let your words be seasoned with salt, not poison.
* Set Healthy Boundaries“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33, ESV)Forgiveness does not always mean restored access. Sometimes love requires distance to prevent further harm by feeding their entrapment. Because a betrayer is often deceived and resistant to correction, wisdom sometimes calls for silence.
* Entrust the Injustice to God“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God…” (Romans 12:19, ESV)Yeshua was betrayed, yet He did not retaliate. He entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly, His Father (1 Peter 2:23). Do the same!
* Pray for Their Repentance and Your Healing“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44, ESV)Prayer is not passive—it’s powerful. It releases your heart from offense and invites God to work in theirs.
Before You Move On
In a time when betrayal within the Church has become tragically common, we must remember that Yeshua Himself was betrayed—not only to destroy Him, but also to fulfill God's redemptive plan. So too, our wounds are not wasted. As we endure the sting of false brethren, we are invited into the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:10), bearing witness to a love that forgives, restores, and overcomes. Let us not grow weary or bitter, but press on in humility, guarding our hearts and walking in truth.
For the Scripture declares: “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:26–27, ESV). May we be found faithful—not in retaliation, but in reconciliation—until He returns to gather a Bride without spot or division.
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