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use each other to meet their needs, to build themselves up at the friends’ expense, or repeatedly abuse their friendships by betrayals. A friendship soul-tie which experiences betrayal and abuse “spoils” the soul, and certainly ruins the godly benefits of friendship. David experienced this.
    False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother.
    Ps. 35: 11–14a
    Thus, a wall, partition, division or block is placed in the relationship. David’s soul was “spoiled,” damaged by the cruel and unkind actions of others.
    David was certainly innocent, but his innocent state did not prevent him from incurring damage to his soul. We observe the same truth in the case of those who were victims of rape, molestation or child abuse by those whom they considered trustworthy. These children too were innocent, yet their souls were damaged, and they often carry great guilt. They need loving ministry to remove the fiery darts and to help heal the wounds. The damage is greatly worsened when the betrayal comes from “the house of a friend.”
    Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
    Ps. 41:9
    God warns us to not be yoked to unbelievers, or with any of Satan’s forces.
    Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
    2 Cor. 6:14

    Many promised to be faithful to God, but proved to be unfaithful. In Scripture we find man being brought into bondage by mere men acting as agents for Satan.
    This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
    Gal. 2:4–5 NIV
    These men were merely masquerading as Christian brothers and as leaders. Their goal was not liberty but bondage for the people of God. They attempted to impose their will upon the group to bring it into subjection to their false doctrines. The Scriptural remedy and answer is to resist the lie with the Truth!
    All soul-ties and all demonic problems are rooted in untruths or lies spawned by the “father of lies,” or by his agents. Such is seen in the above passage referring to “false” or lying brethren. We must especially avoid the demonic stronghold of “believing a lie about God.”
    Believers should exercise great caution before opening their trusting hearts to another believer who forcefully attempts to impose his or her ways, or the traditions of men. This would include bringing another believer under superstition, public pressure and the opinions of man.
    ...how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!
    Gal. 4:9–10 NIV
    ...[take] up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one [Satan or his agents].
    Eph. 6:16 NASB [ Brackets Ours ]
    Man and Authority Figures
    (leader, pastor)
    The Scripture establishes a godly relationship of deference and submission to God-established authority.
    ...the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.
    2 Sam. 20:2b
    Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors... For so is the will of God ...
    1 Pet. 2:13–15
    The church was endowed by Jesus with ministries to build up the faith and maturity of His believers.
    ...When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men... And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for