Frenemies (and a Friendship Give Away)
*Give Away has Ended*
A heart-felt welcome to those of you who have clicked over from the Encouragement for Today devotion I have running at Proverbs 31 and on Crosswalk.com. If you haven’t yet read the devotion, catch up with the rest of us by clicking here.
“Frenemy” (alternately spelled “frienemy”) is a portmanteau of “friend” and “enemy” which can refer to either an enemy disguised as a friend or to a partner who is simultaneously a competitor. The term is used to describe personal, geopolitical, and commercial relationships both among individuals and groups or institutions. The word has appeared in print as early as 1953, but did not gain popularity until 2000.
Frenemy.
Funny word.
Not so funny results.
It seems humans of the female kind have an innate, cruel way of hurting with their words; of causing pain by exclusion; of being two-faced; of ultimately ruining relationships.
Boys? Oh they may punch and push and hurt by body slam. (I know, I have boys ages 11 and 14 who are, as we speak, body slamming each other in the basement family room in an argument over a stupid Xbox 360 Major League Baseball game!!) But usually, they don’t concoct false stories designed to hurt and harm; they don’t leave others out in order to emotionally wound them and they rarely gossip. And not too many act like they consider someone one of their ‘home boys’, when in reality they can’t stand the sight of them.
Why is it that we females have a bent toward hurtful relationships? And why do we sometimes feign friendship when, in reality, we actually dislike someone? Why do we act as a frenemy?
Wouldn’t it be better to just steer clear of someone rather than to pretend to be their friend or acquaintance and then, turn on them?
The recent phenomena that is the Internet has taken this entire frenemy dilemma to a whole new and awful level. Rather than women gossiping over a picket fence or at the water cooler at work about someone they pretend to like in person, now they can take a jab at them on their blog or make a back-handed, cruel comment on their status. They can ‘tweet’ a hurtful statement that is instantly posted in Cyber-space for all the watching world to see.
Oh, but sometimes, it is cleverly disguised. You know……..in a ‘Christian sort of way’.
Shame on us.
Our words are potent.
They can sting.
They can spoil.
And, worst of all, they stick.
Even the cleverly cloaked comments we may make about a generic “someone”. We know that not everyone will know who we are talking about.
Just the “someone”.
Ouch.
We must learn to deal with our friendships and our words about others in a way that would make Jesus proud.
Even though Wikepedia, the online encyclopedia, claims the word frenemy wasn’t invented until recently, a quick read through the Psalms seems to hint that frenemies have been around for centuries:
“If an enemy were insulting me,
I could endure it;
if a foe were raising himself against me,
I could hide from him.
But it is you, a man like myself,
my companion, my close friend,
with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
as we walked with the throng at the house of God.” Psalm 55:12-14
“Even my close friend, whom I trusted,
he who shared my bread,
has lifted up his heel against me.” Psalm 41:9
Hmmm….pretending to be a friend when in reality you are an enemy is as old as the hills.
Throwing insults at someone you once called a close companion is not new either.
While the Psalms may speak of frenemies, they also instruct us what to do if we ourselves have acted as one:
“…if you have been trapped by what you said,
ensnared by the words of your mouth,
then do this, my son, to free yourself,
since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands:
Go and humble yourself;
press your plea with your neighbor!
Allow no sleep to your eyes,
no slumber to your eyelids.
Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
like a bird from the snare of the fowler.” Proverbs 6:2-5
Go to them.
Apologize.
Mean it.
Then, …….don’t do it again!
The same process we often tell our children to follow.
Now, in the future, let’s take further cues from the Psalms as to how our speech should be:
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24
“Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18
Good advice.
Now, what about those people in your life whom you truly feel you should avoid and not be friends with due to one legitimate reason or another? Is it ever wrong to not be friends with someone?
I have had to deal with this a few times in my life and in the life of my daughter. My answer is ‘yes’, sometimes it is okay to distance yourself from someone; to be polite, but choose not to be close friends with another woman.
And, if you find yourself the intended victim of a frenemy or have a strained, hurtful relationship with another (let’s say someone whom you are ‘friends’ with on Facebook, but they leave posts that are intended to make you feel left out or they just seem to ruffle your feathers when you read their status updates) then, by all means, use the ‘hide’ button. While it may be awkward to ‘unfriend’ them or whatever the proper term is, it certainly is okay to not have a steady stream of their life popping up in your newsfeed.
But, in the mean time, ……..while others are being mean….
You be Christ-like.
Pray for them.
Wish them well.
Go out of your way to speak pleasant words in their presence.
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” Romans 12:18
And, make a vow that you will never be a fenemy.
Instead, be like Jesus.
He was a truth teller, but he spoke the truth in love.
He knew who to hang with and who to avoid.
He was always respectful when dealing with both friend and foe.
Be as wise a a serpent but as harmless as a dove. (Matthew 10:16)
And surround yourself with true friends.
Their worth is incalculable.
And, today, let us know…….how do you handle strained and false friendships? Ever had, or been, a frenemy? How about your pre-teen and teenage daughters, have they had an experience with a frenemy situation?
Do tell….
We all have a lot to learn in this area…
And one person who leaves a comment will be chosen to win a $10 Starbucks gift card to use to treat a friend to coffee. Dare I say maybe even a friend with whom you have a strained relationship? Perhaps God is nudging you to make amends.
I’m jiss sayin’……..
Friendly Blessings,
Wow if I didn’t know better I would say I was “Erin” from comments above. I had a roommate in college who was my maid of honor and my oldest child’s godmother and have lost touch with her. About a month ago I got her email from a mutual acquaintance and sent her a message, but she never replied. I really don’t know what happened to our friendship but we don’t live close and I guess we stopped making an effort but I am going to try again. She was a very important person to me and I miss her and think of her often, so she is worth the effort and the possible hurt of not responding again.
Thanks for the devotion today. God’s words to my ears. There is an older lady at my place of work who likes to
cause controversy and she looks for ways to dig her claws into
the flesh of those around her. Venom pours from her lips. I am going to pray for her every day. Pray for her salvation and for grace toward her.
Thank you for your devotional and words of wisdom and encouragement. As a preacher’s kid and a pastor’s wife – I have met many frenemies and I’m sure I probably have been one. As I’ve matured in the Lord how much more I am aware of this happening in our women’s groups and have a heart to encourage true friendship – fun – laughter – fellowship –
I plan to forward your devotional to our women and take to heart God’s promises. Once again, God bless you with His serendiptious delight! Tricia
Great reminder! I’m struggling now with how to distance myself from two “friends”. History there but we don’t have the same heart or interests & I know I don’t need to be friends with them; however it is difficult to unfriend…I always want everone to be happy.
Thank you for this very relevant post. I will share this with my two teenage daughters not to mention reflecting on it myself!
Just four words – “OUCH”, “AMEN” and “THANK YOU”
Wow, this is so timely. Someone just did this to me on facebook a couple of days ago. I just responded as if I ‘didn’t get’ the underlying intention. I am fortunate to not have too many people like this in my life. I do struggle with speaking the truth in love. I have no problem speaking the truth…..it is the ‘in love’ part that I struggle with. I feel like I am speaking in love because I do love my friends and family, but I don’t think that is the way my message is received. So, many times I don’t share ‘the truth’ because I know it will come out all wrong, that is not good either. Thank you for the reminder, today, to seek Jesus and His word on loving and speaking the truth in love. I will continue to press in to Him to find this balance I so desperately need in my life.
A real friend sent me this way this morning. : ) What a great read full of wise counsel. I work in womens ministry and see this often. The enemy gets a foot hold and goes crazy with this one and women. I agree that it is ok to “not” keep company with a frenemy…but be Christ like as you said. Be Jesus to people and you can’t go wrong.
Thanks for sharing…
Karen,
Frenemy, wow, I didn’t even know there was such a word;however, I have learned the hard way that there are such people. I love the way the Psalms puts it, “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure…But it is you, a woman like myself, my companion, my closefriend. The hardest lessons I have learned have come from within the Body of Christ concerning jealousy and envy and backbiting. How smart of the enemy, to try to tear the Body down from the inside out. May we be ever mindful of his strategy and respond in love, humility, and peace. Love NEVER fails.
Karen,
I can relate to your devotion today having been on the receiving end of some cruel friends back in high school. They would use me to get the information they wanted to know about others and turn on me once they got it. I learned early on who I could trust and who I couldn’t. To say it didn’t affect my adult life and developing healthy female friendships would be a lie. Since receiving Christ and renewing my mind toward people I still have to daily work on trusting people who seem to want to be my friend, but I have developed a keen sense of who can be trusted with my sacred information and who just wants to be nosey and gossip about my life problems. I joined facebook a few months ago and have come to realize it is just another way for people to see how your life compares to theirs, and I am guilty of that as well. I would like to think I have forgiven those who have hurt me, but I struggle with it daily. I have a friend who we were best friends from Kindergarden until Seventh grade when she started backbiting and I distanced myself from her emotionally. We became close again before graduation after we both ended up in the same situation and her friends turned on her and she came back to me and tried to develop a relationship again. I accepted her back only to get hurt by her again after I got married and she set me up to get hurt because she thought I did not know my husband had slept with his ex when we came back for a visit on our way to another city, so she told me to meet her somewhere and it happened to be where his ex worked and I did not know that and went only to be humiliated by their hurtful actions. I never have forgiven her for that and have paid the price. I was only 19 at the time and now that I am 37 I cannot allow that instance or others to have control in my life. Through all the hurt and pain I have grown stronger since developing a relationship with Jesus, the one true friend in life!
Thank you so much for these words. I have had several frenemies come and go in my life and I am sure that I have been a frenemy as well. A good lesson!
Thanks for your honesty about social networking.
Facebook and Twitter are not “bad” in and of themselves. They are tools. I’ve found them to be a powerful connecting tool for building relationships. But, like everything else in this world, with an up-side there is always a down-side. And we need to be mindful of that fact.
I also wanted to share something your devotional stirred in me…
Being a “frenemy” is a socially acceptable sin. It was a wake-up call to see you liken it Satan’s behavior. He IS the ultimate deceiver, and we can not allow him to infuse his ways into our lives by being lulled into socially acceptable sins. What shook me further is this thought:
When we act as a frenemy, we are emulating the ways of the devil himself!
Personally, he is not someone I want to align myself with. It will make me more thoughtful in how I handle my friendships. Thanks for your post!
Wise words, dear friend. Lately i have been learning that our words can literally curse someone or bless someone – and that includes ourselves. It’s made me aware of the words i speak aloud.
Thank for bringing this to my head and heart – mel
karen,
That was a word well said.
I find it especially hard to be a friend to someone who annoys me… Often this person might have traits I fear are displayed poorly in myself, or be too much…share too much….hurt too much…things And people I should pray that they learn to trust the Lord and accept their lot for rather than get annoyed by. These are the ones I fear I am frenemy. Lord help me to be a true friend Nd lead them to trust in you when I feel annoyed.
oooo pick me! I would love to take a girl that has just come into town out for coffee and try to befriend her. Besides… Pumpkin Spice Latte’s are my fav!
Thank you for this devotion, it is so true. I especially find this here at my job. There are 2 women who will smile at you and joke with you when in your presence and then go and talk about you in horrible ways when they get away from you. Problem is…I have begun to do the same thing as a defense (in a way) to their behavior. Your devotion makes me realize that I am no better than them and that I should change my own behavior.
Thanks for this word – this is my first time reading your blog! I teach in a Christian School, and I plan to share this word with my middle/high school students. While I’m sure some of them won’t get it, some of them will. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could learn this life lesson at a young age and spend time cultivating strong relationships instead of trying to tear each other down? I love my Facebook and use it to keep in touch with old high school and college friends, former students, family and current friends. Like anything else, it is just a tool for us to use, and we must be careful how we use it!
Karen…great topic. I believe I have probably been on both ends of the spectrum in my life. I would have to admit. I am glad though that I have not seen much of this in my girl’s lives (I am not good with drama). I hope that I have taught my girls that it is always better to be nice and generous…to turn the other cheek then to display hurtful behavior towards others.
Joellen
Thanks for the reminder, Karen. We women can definitely be competitive with each other, and that does not demonstrate the love of Christ. God made each of us unique for a reason, and we all need TRUE friends. Have a great day, and may God bless you and your writing!
Thanks so much for your devotion today Karen. It’s been a long time now, but I have lost touch with my roommate from college. She was the maid-of-honor in my wedding, my best friend and godmother to my oldest child. I wonder if she considers me a “frenemy”. God has been nudging me to try and contact her. I think I’ll let your devotion be the push that I need to reach out to her. Thank you!
Erin
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement this morning. I saw myself in those words. In both having frenemies and being one. I have had to call people and apologize before but God is certainly working on my tongue.
It is amazing that if you give this area up to God he will help (not just can but wants to)
Karen… thanks for the thought provoking WORD this morning. What a great way to describe what so many deal with in their lives.
I know for ME when I am tempted to be a Frenemy it is usually rooted out of jealousy or envy… to which I must repent and crucify… constantly asking the Lord for help in evaluating my motives.
Being a people pleaser, I appreciate the reminder that I don’t have to be close friends with everyone… but it is my responsibility to treat them with respect and kindness… and to Love and pray for my FRenemies.
A wise woman you are… :-)
I really don’t care for facebook I have an account, but rarely use it. I also see people telling this telling that and then I find my self snooping as to what they have been up to etc. These are people I have not seen in several years on someones account. I think I will stick to the e-mails and forget facebook.
Read your devotion from Prov31. Thank you for the gentle reminder of not so obvious intentions, even within ourselves (ok, me). Unfortunately, I saw myself in your writings realizing that someone has been unpredictable in her ‘friendship’ to me and therefore, I distanced myself to protect myself. Yet, still ‘pretended’ to be her friend, when my heart wasn’t true to the call. I will change my thoughts and my actions with a little help from above. Thank you for your wise words this morning.