The Shepherd’s Betrayal: When Trusted Hands Hold the Knife
We often live like the sheep in an old African proverb: “The sheep spends all its life fearing the wolf, only to be eaten by the shepherd“. We spend our lives fearing the wolf, only to be eaten by the shepherd. Our vigilance is fixed on the obvious, external dangers—the strangers, the distant threats, the political opponent. Yet often, our deepest wounds come from those closest to us, the ones cloaked in the guise of protector: the friend, the partner, the family member, or the leader we trusted implicitly. Indeed sharing same blood, like a sibling or nibling, brethren in The Lord does not guarantee that someone has your best interests at heart.
This painful truth finds a stark echo in the Bible. Jesus warned, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). The imagery is precise and devastating. The greatest danger is not the obvious wolf; it’s the one who has masterfully borrowed the skin of the flock. They blend in, speaking our language, earning our trust, all while hiding a destructive nature. The betrayal is a double deception: we are harmed by the very hands we believed were meant to guide and guard us.
Why does this betrayal cut so deep? Because it doesn’t just hurt us; it shatters our reality. An attack from an enemy confirms our fears. But betrayal by a shepherd—a trusted person—ruptures our foundational map of safety. It forces a terrifying rewrite: The person who was my safety is the danger. This breach of sacred trust can trigger a profound trauma, leaving us feeling isolated, questioning our judgment, and building walls to protect a now-fragile heart.
So, how do we navigate this? Do we retreat into suspicion? The wisdom is not to live in fear, but to live with discernment and grounded hope.
First, cultivate discerning trust. Trust is essential for connection, but healthy trust is built gradually. Look at the consistent “fruit” of a person’s life—their actions over time, how they handle responsibility and conflict—not just their comforting words or assigned role.
Second, anchor your ultimate security beyond people. The Book of Proverbs offers this liberating clarity: “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe” (Proverbs 29:25). When our core sense of security is tied solely to human beings, we set ourselves up for a snare. The counterweight is to place our deepest trust in God’s unwavering character. As Psalm 118:8 puts it, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” This isn’t a call to cynicism, but to a foundation that cannot be shaken by human failure.
Finally, pursue healing. The path forward from betrayal involves acknowledging the pain, tending to your well-being, and often seeking wise counsel. Healing allows you to reclaim your story, not as a victim defined by the wound, but as someone resilient who has walked through darkness.
The proverb holds up a mirror to a hard reality. Yet, the biblical narrative doesn’t leave us fearful in the pasture. It calls us to walk with wisdom, to love courageously with discernment, and to root our souls in the faithfulness of the true Shepherd, who never betrays His own.
Thanks for reading: May The Good Lord be your ever-present help as you journey through life. Shalom and life to you dear.
E,A, Randolph-Koranteng
,,,,,A Servant of Christ,,,,
