Recently I was involved in what I view as one of the saddest of things regarding friendships. People who once were friends are now no longer because they heard divisive comments from another which brought their beautiful friendship into dispute. It is over now. I cannot see them ever being friends again. But that’s the attitude of the world. It happens every day. The celebrity websites are full of stories of friends who now are enemies. I wonder if that is your experience. It’s not a nice thought thinking you have become an enemy to anyone. Probably if anything it will be that you have grown distant with people who you once journeyed with. It happens. It’s life. Not everyone journeys with us for the whole way.
But for the Apostle Paul he is feeling quite upset! People he loves and journeyed with are now turning against him. They have listened to those who divide and not those who unite and it’s a lesson for us all.
“… and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15 Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?” Galatians 4:14-16
Paul exaggerates only to state his point that there was a time not so long ago when they loved him.
But now those feelings have gone due to the false teachers who turned them against Paul regarding his teaching of grace.
How can you go from friend to foe?
The people had become convinced that there were doubts on his originality, his authenticity and that he too cast a dangerous shadow over their status as Christians.
Watch out for those who divide.
They can break up the closest of friends by bringing their perspective of truth on who you are.
They will challenge your story and the truth of who you are. They will misquote you and even tell lies so that you feel threatened by the friend you have known.
Watch out for those who divide. They may try it with you against one of your friends.
Those who speak against others probably speak against you also.
If it has happened to you. If you have lost a friend and they are now your foe because of untruths then these verses show you that the Apostle Paul knew exactly how you feel. Examine yourself, maybe get a trusted person’s perspective in case you have been blinded by the truth. But if in all good conscience you have acted rightfully then hold on to your position of truth. If they have walked because you speak the truth then let them walk. Perhaps someone needs to hear this today. It isn’t a devotional word for everyone but this morning you may be waking with your heart broken because your friend is now a foe.
Missions Paul 
This is so true because it has happened in our church.There was a certain couple who left and caused unrest among the congregation by spreading untruths because they wanted to start a church on their own which they have done within a couple of months. The trouble is the few who joined them are totally unaware of the deceit and falsehood of the story told to them.
LikeLike