Compelling Love

Have you ever put your trust in enemies professing to be friends? In Psalm 55:21, David describes such an experience: “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.” (Psalm 55:21)

Recently I was badly scammed by people professing to be friends. Scammers of course are not friends but swindlers in disguise. Now that their masks have come off, I refuse to mourn the loss of false friendships. Instead, I’m learning from my mistakes and rejoicing in the sunlight of truth, remembering Jesus’ words, “love your enemies and pray for those who spitefully use you” (Matthew 5:44).

My prayer is for these people to genuinely repent and truly become new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Once they are genuine friends with Him, they can become true friends with others. Then they will experience JOY by valuing others above themselves:
J – Jesus first
O – Others second
Y – Yourself last.

Paul describes this winning attitude, the opposite of a scammer’s mentality, in Philippians 2:3, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.