Betrayed by a frienemy

Posted on July 3, 2011 by valerie

One of the most heartbreaking things that happens at one time or another to all of us is
being deceived by an enemy..who appears to be a friend.

A while back, I heard on the radio that a new word has been placed into the dictionary describing
this kind of person as a “frienemy”.

When someone says they want to be our friend on social sites like “Facebook” we have the choice
to make them our friend, or unfriend them…

but with personal relationships at school or work…or in family situations, this is not always so simple…
or for that matter wise, just to write people off, when they offend us.

God’s word warns us that satan roams around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

He often speaks his lies through other people to get us to fall into sin and bring curses into our lives.

His main goal is to kill, steal, and destroy our future.

Jesus told us, if we continue in his word, we will know the truth and it will set us free.

Freedom comes when we recognize the lies of the enemy and defeat them.

When God created the world and all his beautiful creatures, he wanted them to have a life of
blessings and peace.

He planted the garden of Eden and told Adam to take care of it.

The word Eden means delight…and God placed all kinds of delightful trees and plants for
man to eat.

He only had one rule which was they were not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, or
they would die.

God created man with free choice, because he wanted to them to obey him out of love.

One day as Eve and Adam were walking through the garden, suddenly a serpent struck up a conversation with Eve.

The Bible says in Genesis 3 NKJV
1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.
And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”
2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden;
3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it,
nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’”

God never said they’d die if they touched the tree…only if they ate the fruit.

4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you
eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes,
and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband
with her, and he ate.

Adam was right with Eve when she messed up. He could have stopped her, but chose to listen to
her and the snake…instead of asking God for wisdom.

7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were
naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day,
and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
9 Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”
10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded
you that you should not eat?”
12 Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”
13 And the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Adam and Eve refused to take responsibility for their sin. Eve blamed the serpent, and Adam blamed
Eve and God.

Perhaps if they would have told God how sorry they were, God may have handled the whole situation
differently.

God, is not a man that he should lie, and wants us to realize that there are consequences
for our sins.

14 So the LORD God said to the serpent:
“ Because you have done this,
You are cursed more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you shall go,
And you shall eat dust
All the days of your life.
15 And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”

Here God is promising one day to send a Savior to save mankind from eternal death

and damnation. He loved us so much that he sacrificed his only Son on the cross,

and offers to all who receive Him forgiveness and a place in heaven.

16 To the woman He said:
“I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception;
In pain you shall bring forth children;
Your desire shall be for your husband,
And he shall rule over you.”

God created man and woman to be equal, but because Eve sinned, childbirth would now be painful and

women would be expected to submit to man.

17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree

of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’:
“ Cursed is the ground for your sake;
In toil you shall eat of it
All the days of your life.

18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you,
And you shall eat the herb of the field.

19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread
Till you return to the ground,
For out of it you were taken;
For dust you are,
And to dust you shall return.”
20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
21 Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.
22 Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— 23 therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

God left us the stories of the Bible so we would understand why there is death in our world.

His word makes us wiser than our enemies, and we must always be on guard against the

attacks of satan.

God gave us the ten commandments, as loving guidelines, to protect us from evil, heartache, poverty, and the

curses disobedience brings into our life.

Perhaps today, you have fallen into the trap of a frienemy.

It may have been a man who told you if you loved him,

you’d engage in premarital sex.

Maybe you’ve stolen something from the mall or work, cheated on a test, lied to your parents,

are browsing pornography sites on the internet, or addicted to drugs or alcohol.

You know it’s wrong, but think no one will ever find out.

Beloved God is calling out to you today and asking …Where are you?

Come out into the light and let Him help and heal you.

The Bible says…if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from

all unrighteousness.

You don’t have to hide any longer.

Don’t waste your time playing the blame game.

Run to his loving arms of mercy and grace.

Jesus paid the punishment for your sins, and all who call upon the name of the LORD will be saved.

Let his blood cover your sins and give you hope for a bright a promising future.

Psalm 80:7
Restore us, O God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!

Isaiah 45:22
“ Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.

The prison walls that held me tight…

Were built with unforgiveness, hate, and strife.

The fortress had become so strong…

No one could enter, to do me wrong.

I saw myself as victimized…

And everyone, I did despise.

I wallowed in self-pity and shame.

And in my prison…I remained.

I could not love or be loved back.

For Jesus Christ was who I lacked.

Pain and hurt was all I knew.

And so, the inner turmoil grew.

And then one day, a voice I heard…

It said “Please open up my word.”

“You’ll find the truth about yourself…

And wisdom will restore your health.”

Soon strength and power came over me.

I asked the Lord to set me free.

And as he showed me all my sins…

Repentance brought forgiveness in.

The walls of sin came crashing down.

With grace and mercy, I suddenly found…

I enjoyed the freedom that Jesus gave.

He died and rose, so I’d be saved.

So if you’re in a prison today.

Jesus’ love can show the way…

To escape the past and make a fresh start.

Let Jesus give you a brand new heart.

Acts 16:31
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

From My Heart to Yours,

Valerie Rousseau