10/19/2026
What do you do when the person who hurts you is someone you trusted?
In “Check the Table,” Pastor Kenneth Leonard Jr. teaches from John 13:21–27 about betrayal, toxic relationships, discernment, and learning who to restore and who to release.
Some of our deepest wounds don’t come from people who were against us. They come from people who were sitting beside us.
The friend we trusted.
The person we built with.
The one who appeared supportive.
The person we never expected to betray us.
But proximity does not always produce transformation, and our love cannot fix a heart that refuses to surrender.
Through the stories of Judas and Peter, we discover four truths about betrayal:
• Proximity does not guarantee transformation.
• Discernment helps us recognize warning signs.
• We can love people while limiting their access.
• A bad day is different from a bad heart.
Peter had a bad day. Judas had a bad heart. Without discernment, we can throw away a Peter while continuing to make excuses for a Judas.
When betrayal happens, remember:
Name the fruit.
Narrow the access.
Never nurse the bitterness.
The people who hurt you may have proximity to your story, but they do not have power over your ending.
Ready to take your next step? Visit mytpp.org to connect with The Purpose Place, make a decision to follow Jesus, give, partner, and discover what’s next.
