PRIDE SERIES - Betrayal

     In relationships where one person feels betrayed or deeply hurt, or even...lets say...bitterness has taken root... pride demands loyalty and plays a huge role. 

Pride magnifies the root of bitterness.

     Take a person abused by another, for instance.... they will expect you to disown or reject the person that hurt them. In the hurt person's eyes, if you don't cut off your relationship with the person that hurt them and punish them for abusing, you are choosing sides and betraying them. 

    Their sense of entitlement leaves them to believe that they deserve your loyalty at the cost of others. 

     This kind of demand is manipulative. If you do not comply, they will manipulate and sabotage your relationships with others and assassinate your character by misrepresenting your intentions. 

     You see, pride not only influences the one holding onto bitterness but it also influences the one who is accused of betrayal and not taking sides. 

    For the one who was abused, that feels betrayed: The spirit of pride makes it difficult for them to see beyond the assault. Unforgiveness becomes intertwined with pride and causes them to demand a high level of loyalty because of a desire for revenge and validation. 

     For the one accused of betrayal: The spirit of pride in the family or relationship dynamic influences them to feel guilty for not choosing side or continuing to love the one who hurt the other. They feel trapped between loyalty to one person and their Biblical call to love and forgive. 

PRIDE IS BONDAGE! The influence of pride in family dynamics can lead to emotional manipulation, guilt, isolation, and character assassination.  

 ⚠⚠ THERE IS DELIVERANCE from this pride-fueled division and manipulation! ⚠⚠