backstabber or builder?

Backstabber: one who betrays another under the guise of friendship; a person who acts positively in front but condemns or criticizes negatively behind back, usually in the form of gossip.

Have you ever found out that a close friend was really not close at all. That a respected acquaintance was secretly, viciously gossiping about you with hopes to damage and/or hurt you. This would be a person that at one time may have gained your trust enough that you felt comfortable sharing your feelings, experiences and challenges with. However, later you would learn that this individual would betray your trust and hurt your feelings. Their reasons could stem from jealous intent or opportunistic reward - but one thing rings true, they choose to backstab at your expense.

These are the two-faced artificial individuals who circulate bogus, harmful details about an unsuspecting person's reputation and character. They are synthetic people who display the same insincerity as a clandestine manipulator, a clever thief, or a cunning predator. They are fake people who give into their selfishness, scheming against their unsuspecting victims.

I'm sure you are cringing as you read about this kind of person. However... sadly, I think we've all been this person at one time or another in life. For who among us hasn't spoken against someone? Who has not sat in a clique of women and shared hurtful words or false statements that destroy, dishonor, defame or slander? If we were honest about it, I'm certain each one of us could confess that we've all thrown someone "under the bus" at some point in our lives. And whether we've been the victim or participant in backstabbing, it is important for us to understand the spiritual warfare and eternal implications that are present when such deceitfulness exists. For it is not our reputation, but the Lord's name that we represent as His people. He is all that should be seen when others look at us. His is the character we should emulate when we speak. As Christians, we must ask Jesus to remove our lying lips and hateful hearts and replace them with His unending love and truth. We are instructed by Paul the following command, "Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully of his neighbor, for we are all members of one body." (Ephesians 4:25) This is key for us to live together in Christ... authentically, transparently, honestly.

As women, we have been socially conditioned by our culture to be fake. Just look at the empty promises and false means of success that are imposed upon us from any magazine cover on display at your local grocery store. The sinful world lures us into thinking that only the strong, beautiful, intellectual, elite will survive. Our best life now can be achieved if we somehow find the secret to living better than the next gal... and with such success, we are promised to harness inner peace and be whole with the universe. Of course, we are not to make waves and attempt to address the true core issue of sin, for that would show weakness and the need for a perfect God. No, instead we are to maintain ourselves as super women who have and know everything. We are to emulate this model-perfect citizen at all costs. In short, we believe the lie that perceptions and rationalizations are more important than the status of our hearts and relationships. Phew! It is no wonder that we fall into the trap of backstabbing, lying, and gossiping against one another. We are clawing our way to the top of the proverbial ladder with hopes to find some form of satisfaction. But this world cannot satisfy.

If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Galatians 5:15)

This world is against true love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and goodness. This world cannot grasp the love presented from a Savior that would wash the feet of a man named Judas while knowing full well that he would later be betrayed and sentenced to death because of that same man. This world can only hear about such love and ask in amazement, "What kind of love is this?" The answer will always point back to Jesus the Christ. His way is the only way for us to follow so that we can stay in truth with one another and avoid compromising ourselves to anything other than noble, pure intentions.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Ladies, let's recommit our lives to walk with God and choose light over darkness in how we treat one another. Let's stop spreading hurt with our words and instead build up the body of His church. Let's pray and encourage one another to walk daily with Jesus. With Him, we can be satisfied and content. With Him we can edify and uphold one another. In Jesus' Name, let's emulate His love to all the world and showcase a life of hope and peace... a life worth living in the name of our Messiah and Redeemer.

The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. (Psalms 145:18)

Blessings!
Blog Posting Written By Victoria Anderson